It’s not the cash, it’s the Constitution, part VIII
Apparently this is what the Colorado Supreme Court considers “expedited.” We organized a class-action lawsuit against Bill Ritter’s mill levy freeze back in 2007. If you recall our point was simple. The Colorado constitution is clear, if government is going to raise taxes, or debt, or change tax policy so that government gets more money it must do the one simple thing that all politicians fear – ask the taxpayers. We won in Denver District Court and Ritter and crew appealed to the Supremes. Oral arguments took place in early September 2008. And the Supremes have yet to rule! This foot-dragging is even unacceptable to the Denver Post.
Speculation is running wild. The Colorado Supreme Court is generally believed to be the most partisan in the country, which is why most think the taxpayers will lose. Every TABOR case that has gone to them has lost. As was overheard being said by one of the law team for the state, “They have the constitution, but we have the courts.”
So why the long, long wait? Some think it is because of Chief Justice Mary Mullarkey. Either she is trying to change a swing vote, which could be encouraging to the taxpayers, or perhaps she wants the state budget to grow so dependent on the new revenue that her colleagues just couldn’t rule against Ritter’s cash grab.
Either way we’ll find out soon. The ruling will finally be made public Monday morning! SO HERE IT COMES! stay tuned.
I have posted at the Denver Post and am in the final process of submitting a proposed ballot initiative to the legislature.
The wording is tentatively:
“Shall the Constitution of the State of Colorado be amended to require the approval of any new or increased governmental charges, if such increase is greater than one percent above the current rate of inflation, by a majority vote of the people in a general election approving such increases prior to its being levied?”
Any idea or suggestions. I am leery of the single subject rule here so any advice you have to keep it just to fees will be heeded.
My name is Pamela Myyers. I am 57 (58 on April 23) lving with my husband in Thronton at the Redwood Estates trailer park. Our total income last year was less than 16K. My husband is a 100% disabled vet. recently so adjudged because of surgery to his shoulder. I drove a cab and then joined my husband on his semi truck. I drove for Yellow Cab from 1978 until 1991. Due to severe heart and kidney disease, I am totally disabled. (The only thing that would be worse than my current health care situation would be single payer/socialized medicine. At least now I can get the care I need.)
I have been a Republican ever since hearing Reagan’s “index card” speech. I am contacting Gunny Bob to see if it would be all right to take this measure in and present it to the legislature right after the “tea party.” If he has no objections, it will be done right after the rally on Wednesday.
At present I have no team, no funding and only a handful of volunteers who would be willing to work on this. Funny thing is, as soon as I posted this in the paper the legislature came out with a bunch of punitive measures set at punishing those who promote ballot initiatives. Must be a coincidence.
My home phone is 303-339-0349. My cell phone is 720-232-3826. I have a magicjack number but right now it’s not cooperating. It is also a Texas number because my husband wants to move out of this cold if we can’t get TABOR enforced. Our car has collectors plates and this latest increase would more than double their cost.
I expect a number of people to be upset enough to sign as well as vote in favor of this by the time it gets to the polls. They would do a double end run on the public with transportation taxes. Guess they think we don’t know how to add up the facts.
Let me know what you think.
06 Apr 2009 at 12:15 pm