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This isn’t entirely true. In Colorado, we vote on all tax increases. In the short time I have been here Coloradoans have voted to increase taxes on themselves q
by tnel77 6y ago
This isn’t entirely true. In Colorado, we vote on all tax increases. In the short time I have been here Coloradoans have voted to increase taxes on themselves quite a few times for roads and schools. If you make a good argument, even conservatives will commonly vote to increase taxes since many see the value that comes from it.
The issue is that many people, like myself, want a say. I don’t mind paying more in taxes if the money is used well and I feel like I actually had a say in the process.
- robohoe 6y agoUnlike in Illinois, where majority of tax increases get squandered.
- lotsofpulp 6y agoThe issue is the taxes voted on aren’t enough to pay for the item being voted on. The pensions aren’t getting properly funded, and the amortized cost of the road and accompanying infrastructure isn’t being saved for with taxes collected today. Also, Colorado is expecting one of the biggest economic and population booms in America, so people’s incomes are going up and thinks are looking pretty good. Try the same in states with stagnant economies and job markets, and even schools won’t get the votes for tax increases. And the nuance of the statement, of course, is people won’t vote for tax increases for things that won’t benefit them. Roads benefit all car owners, so car owners don’t mind voting for roads. But taxes for public transportation won’t be voted in. And people will vote to increase taxes for their own school district. But not to help subsidize other cities’ schools.
- dfilppi 6y ago'If the money is used well' -- there's the problem. The money disappears and a new tax is on the ballot next year.