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AGC has studied 11 state ballot issues, 11 Denver ballot issues, and other local ballot issues, and has the following recommendations for the Nov 3, 2020 election:
State Ballot Amendments & Propositions
Proposition EE - Tax on Nicotine Products Vote YES Proposition EE would increase taxes on cigarettes & tobacco products (including vaping) and spend the new revenue ($75M in 2021 rising to $275M in 2027) on K-12 education, expanded preschool programs, affordable housing, and health care. A Yes Vote creates up to $275 M in general fund revenue, which would allow the legislature to re-institute BEST Grant and Capital Construction funding.
Proposition 113 - Adopt Agreement to Elect U.S. President By National Popular Vote Vote NO
Proposition 113 would place Colorado among the states to elect the President of the US by a national popular vote. With a pure popular vote, candidates will spend most of their time on the east and west coasts and bypass Colorado. A No Vote means the candidates are more likely to campaign
in Colorado.
Proposition 117: Voter Approval for Certain New State Enterprises Vote NO
Proposition 117 would amend Colorado law to require
voter approval for new or increased fees, similar to the existing requirement that voters approve tax increases. A No Vote allows the legislature to fund transportation projects through auto registration fees, like they did in 2009, and commercial building is closely tied to transportation and other infrastructure investments.
Proposition 118 - Paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance Program Vote NO
Proposition 118 would amend Colorado law to create a new $1.3 billion paid family leave state bureaucracy, require employers and employees to pay a payroll tax of 0.9% to 1.2% of income, and allow employees up to 12 weeks of paid family leave. A No Vote avoids an expensive government
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program that will need additional state funding to operate long-term, and protects small business.
Measures on Ballot - No AGC Position Taken
• Amendment B – Modify Property Taxes (Gallagher Amendment)
• Amendment C - Conduct of Charitable Gaming
• Amendment 76 - Citizenship Qualification of Voters
• Amendment 77 - Local Voter Approval of Casino Bet Limits and Games in Black Hawk, Central City,
and Cripple Creek
• Proposition 114 - Reintroduction and Management of Gray Wolves
• Proposition 115 - Prohibit Abortions After 22 Weeks • Proposition 116 - State Income Tax Rate Reduction
Denver Ballot Issues
Denver 2A - Climate Action Denver Vote YES
A measure referred by city council that asks Denver voters to approve a 0.25% sales tax increase to invest an estimated $40million annually to fund programs to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHG). GHG is coming to Denver and this proposal is better than the Carbon Tax proposal that AGC helped remove from the ballot.
Denver 2B - Homelessness Resolution Tax Vote YES
A measure referred by city council that asks Denver voters to approve 0.25% sales tax to support homeless programs by investing an estimated $40 million annually to build housing and expand shelter beds and mental health services. A Yes Vote has all citizens paying for this much needed solution.
AGC has additional ballot recommendations on other local issues, and candidates for state House and Senate. For the complete AGC 2020 Voter Guide, go to www.agccolorado.org and visit the Advocacy section of the website.
Inside AGC Colorado Important Election
on Nov 3, 2020
by Michael Gifford
Author Michael Gifford is President and CEO of the Associated General Contractors (AGC) of Colorado.
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