Legislative focus again on revenue woes, Ref C ( $ 6 Billion not enough )

special interest groups from higher education to prisons to capital construction are demanding more state aid, many saying they've waited long enough for funding, and now it's their turn.

At the same time, opponents of Referendum C are saying, "we told you so," over the proposed changes.

Several said the ballot question that allowed the state to keep billions of dollars it otherwise would have returned to taxpayers should be more than enough to handle the state's needs.

Senate Minority Leader Andy McElhany, R-Colorado Springs, said he fears the new Democratic governor and the now Democratic-controlled Legislature will go hog wild with taxing and spending proposals, pointing to Ritter's property tax freeze as only the tip of the iceberg.

"I know exactly what's going on. Republicans, we look upon increased taxes only as a last resort, but with Democrats, it's a way of life," said McElhany, an early opponent of Referendum C. "So much of their base constituency depends on government revenue. We said they'd have that (Ref C) money spent in 15 minutes, and they just about did.

"But what's most dramatic is that revenues are far exceeding projections," he added. "It was $3.7 billion predicted that Ref C would allow the state to spend over the five years, and we're looking now at about $6 billion. And even that's not enough money for some."

With the Republican Party already planning to use Ritter's property tax freeze against Democrats during next year's elections, calling it a tax hike, Romanoff is afraid their short-term goal of winning back control of the Legislature will get in the way of his long-term goal of fixing what ails the state's budget.

Conservatives have to thank RINO Governor Bill Owens for ramming through Proposition C. The government still doesn't have enough money after weakening TABOR. To think loosening fiscal controls makes government more responsible was a pipe dream all along.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

2 posted on 06/25/2007 11:19:20 AM PDT by goldstategop (In Memory Of A Dearly Beloved Friend Who Lives In My Heart Forever)

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