Page 52 - CCD-Mag-Summer-Fall-2020

The November Election looms large for the construction industry. The good news is that AGC took a lead role in removing the two worst measures from the ballot already. The bad news is there is more to fight against. Here is
the outlook:
Removed from Ballot
AGC & CREA Get Energy Tax Removed
from the November 2020 Ballot in Denver!
After a year of negotiations and effort, AGC and CREA (the Colorado Real Estate Alliance) have successfully removed the Energy/Carbon Tax from the November 2020 ballot in Denver. The Energy Tax would have been 5% tax on energy bills like Xcel and would have increased up to 5% a year until certain Greenhouse Gas (GHG) goals were achieved. AGC CEO Michael Gifford serves as Vice-Chair of CREA.
AGC & No on 122 Coalition Stop Prop 122
from Reaching State Ballot
AGC and the No on 122 Coalition stood up a strong defense against Prop 122, a measure proposing a 1% statewide residential growth limitation. AGC believes
we need more housing of all types, including affordable housing, driven by market demand. Colorado is still experiencing 50,000 a year net in-migration. After seeing this strong defensive effort, the proponents stopped their signature gathering effort.
On the November 3, 2020 Ballot
AGC Opposes State Mandated Family
Leave Measure (Initiative 283) – Vote NO
CEO Michael Gifford Joins No
on Family Leave Steering Committee
AGC President & CEO Michael Gifford has joined the No on Family Leave Steering Committee to defeat this bad for business initiative. Initiative 283, the State Mandated Family Leave Initiative, imposes a new 0.9% employer payroll tax, to fund a new state-mandated family medical
52 | Colorado Construction & Design
leave benefit, and will require the state to set up a
new state-run insurance department with 100+ state employees to run the operation. The tax can increase from 0.9% to up to 1.2after 2 years. The state will also have a significant cost to provide the benefit to its own workforce, at a time the state is struggling to balance the state’s budget. AGC has invested $25,000 in the No on Family Campaign.
Colorado National Popular Vote Interstate Compact Referendum – Vote NO
AGC is opposing the legislature’s approval of Senate
Bill 19-042. The referendum is an effort to repeal 2019 legislation adding Colorado to the list of states approving a National Popular Vote. This is the first time since 1932 that citizens have attempted to overturn legislation adopted by the General Assembly. This initiative would make presidential candidates skip states like Colorado and campaign mostly in the most populous states on both coasts.
Denver Refers Sales Tax Measures to the November Ballot One measure would raise the sales tax 0.25% to support homeless programs and housing. It would produce
$40M a year in revenue for homeless programs. Another measure would raise the sales tax 0.25% and dedicate $40M a year to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. AGC will review these measures at our Sept. 1 Legislative Committee and potentially take a position.
AGC Voter Guide
The AGC Legislative Committee continues to meet and will issue a voter guide in October. Stay up to date by signing up to receive the weekly AGC Advocacy Report from AGC CEO Michael Gifford. To sign up email Polly Mize at polly@agccolorado.org.
Inside AGC Colorado
Nov 2020 Election Looms Large
for Construction Industry
by Michael Gifford
Author Michael Gifford is President and CEO of the Associated General Contractors (AGC) of Colorado.
www.ccdmag.com | news@ccdmag.com