Denver pre-school tax under attack

Daniel J. Chacon, Rocky Mountain News

Published October 3, 2006 at midnight

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The Anti-Defamation League announced its opposition today to a proposal to increase Denver's sales tax to pay for expanded preschool education.

The league's Mountain States Regional Office came out against the measure because they say it violates the principle of separation of church and state.

"Although the goals of the Denver preschool plan are laudable, the proposed tax increase would raise serious church/state separation issues because it permits government funds to go to religious institutions to teach religion, without any restrictions or guidelines whatsoever on the use of those funds," said Bruce DeBoskey, the league's regional director, in a statement.

But Zack Neumeyer, co-chair of the Mayor's Leadership Team on Early Childhood Education, said the measure "isn't about indoctrinating kids" but preparing them for the future.

"We really respect the important work that the ADL does — particularly on critical issues around anti-Semitism and religious tolerance. However, this proposal is simple and straightforward. It is about making high quality preschool available to all Denver 4-year-olds where no uniform public system currently exists," he said.

The proposal, which would generate about $12 million annually for 10 years, would increase the city's sales tax by 0.12 percent, or 12 cents for every $100 purchase. The money would be used to fund tuition credits for Denver families of 4-year-olds.

The league is urging voters to reject the measure in November.

"Tax money should never be used to indoctrinate children about religious issues," the group said in a statement

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