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GOP leaders demand budget cuts in light of court's rejection of education tax

Staff and wire reports

Published June 5, 2008 at 10:21 p.m.

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Colorado Republican leaders demanded Thursday that Gov. Bill Ritter immediately start cutting the budget to cover $118 million the state is collecting from an education tax that a district court ruled was unconstitutional.

In a letter obtained by The Associated Press, the GOP lawmakers say the governor also could call the legislature back into session to decide which programs to cut if the ruling stands.

Ritter has predicted his tax plan would stand on appeal.

"If you refuse to act, we strongly believe you owe the people of Colorado an explanation as to why you are so certain that the Supreme Court will overturn the existing ruling," the letter states.

The letter is signed by House Minority Leader Mike May, R-Parker, and Senate Minority Leader Andy McElhany, R-Colorado Springs.

Ritter's spokesman said the Republicans are "playing politics."

The letter cites a study that shows if the new budget goes into effect July 1 as written, the state could be on the hook for $272 million that may have to be refunded to taxpayers.

Lawyers for both sides say it's unclear who would be responsible for paying back the money - the counties that collected it through property taxes, the school districts that got the money, or the state, which provides general fund money for schools.

Whoever pays, the effect on government could be catastrophic, the Republicans said. They also warned that it is difficult to win a case on appeal.

"We cannot help but wonder if you know something that the rest of Colorado does not that causes you to be so confident that the Supreme Court, tasked with upholding justice and not agendas, will come down on your side," the letter said.

They gave Ritter a deadline of June 16 to respond, saying they need enough time to act before the new budget year begins.

Ritter spokesman Evan Dreyer said the governor believes the state Supreme Court will overturn the district court ruling. "There is nothing imminent or pressing that needs to happen now," he said.

At issue is a 2007 law that froze property tax rates in some school districts where they had been expected to decline.

The additional tax revenue for the districts means they are entitled to that much less in state aid. Lawmakers are using the savings to shore up health care and higher education.

Denver District Court Judge Christina Habas ruled last week that the state needed voter approval under the Taxpayer's Bill of Rights to raise the additional property tax revenue.

Comments

  • June 6, 2008

    12:02 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    windskull writes:

    Governor an ideal place to address the budget would be freezing lawmakers salaries to recoup the monies they wasted in do nothing sessions which dominated the agenda,(or lack of)through much of your predecessor ex Gov Owens tutledge.

  • June 6, 2008

    4:50 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    LOUIE writes:

    Mr. Ritter, it's not the time to be Lyndon Johnson and embark on building a great society; revenue is getting tight. If you want money for the essentials such as education, you'll need to get the money elsewhere. The people your taxing are losing ground finacially and just don't have it. Lastly, you need to ask the people for thier money and quit trying to gorilla money from those who have other concerns such as surviving this economic downturn. Raise taxes and you'll stiffle what little venture capitol the people have left; we the people can't afford the government being lavish with individual pet party projects, republican or democrat, yet upon our backs government fills it's purse. We need a third party (and not the libertarian) that truly feels the plight of all Americans. This two party system serves only to divide the people into thier seperate camps, thus both party's insure thier survival at the cost of the group as a whole. Let the people breathe, let "We the people..." reinvent more business, let the "We the people..." invest in our own future. If you break the people finacially, you will have broken the government that "We the people..." empowered. "We the people..." are what make America great, not government who without the consent of the governed can not exist except as a Machavellian tyrant. Those leather chairs at the capitol must be comfotable; maybe the people need to make you sit on wood so you'll appreciate the finacial pillow you ride on!

  • June 6, 2008

    6:54 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    LOUIE writes:

    Hey Mr. Temple, can you give us some steak, I am tired and bored with the patatoes you learned how to serve 100 ways. Give us something real to chew on. This paper is so weak, it's a wonder it even wakes up! You need to surround yourself with better!

  • June 6, 2008

    7:16 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    LOUIE writes:

    Here's a challenge Mr. Temple, why don't you blog with us. Your extremely intelligent, and surely you have risen above your peers in the profession; please, I sincerely appeal to that long lost zeal in your youth that brought you to your profession. I bet you have an opinion that holds the attention of us all. I am dead serious; just a thought Mr. Temple.