Budget

By Barry Noreen
The Gazette

With Proposition 101 we can make cuts in spending, have a chicken in every pot and with apologies to Orwell, we can all dwell on Sugarcandy Mountain forever.

If it sounds too good to be true, it usually is.

Proposition 101 is one of three torpedoes that have been fired at Coloradans by a gang of fringe political sociopaths. Voters will see the troika (Amendments 60 and 61 are the other two) on the general election ballot, but many may not see any danger because the measures are dressed up like Christmas gifts.

Commentary

By Marla Underell

Proposition 101, en­titled "Colorado Mo­tor Vehicle, Income, and Telecom Taxes," will appear on the No­vember ballot. It is an initiated state statute, which the Web site ballotpedia.org says "is a new law that a state adopts via the ballot ini­tiative process. The most common form of initiated state statute is when groups collect signatures and once those signatures are collected, elec­tion officials place the measure on the ballot for a vote."

Twenty-two states allow initiated state statutes, of which Colorado is one.

By Matt Lindberg
Montrose Daily Press

MONTROSE – If voters approve three controversial ballot initiatives Nov. 2, the Montrose County School District could have to cut 400 employees, including 250 teachers, resulting in class sizes that could be as high as 185 students.

The district has managed to cope with more than $2.5 million in state cuts over the past three years, but another $18 million hit would be devastating.

Click on attachment for county impact of Proposition 101 on ownership taxes and license fees

Click on attachment for county impact of Proposition 101 on ownership taxes and license fees

Click on attachment for county impact of Proposition 101 on ownership taxes and license fees

Just as we are beginning to see the benefits of federal health care reform – seniors getting help to bridge the gap in Medicare's prescription drug coverage, young adults staying on their parents' health insurance plans and small businesses receiving tax credits to provide health coverage – Coloradans are faced with an attempt to take them away.

By Lynn Bartels
The Denver Post

Tom Tancredo didn't say anything new today when he spoke to a Republican group, but the local sheriff had plenty to say about Proposition 101.

Prop 101 is one of three companion measures on the November ballot. Douglas County Sheriff Dave Weaver sounded the alarm about what would happen because it reduces taxes, and he said his office already has way too few resources.