Shaffer, Pace, Morse Vote Against Supporting Coloradans' Right to Vote on Tax Increases

DENVER—Democrat leadership voted to stand against Colorado’s voters today, by failing to support the right of Coloradans to approve or reject all tax increases, as set forth in the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights.

“I’m disappointed that Democrats in the General Assembly would not support Coloradans' right to vote on all tax increases,” said Speaker of the House Frank McNulty, R-Highlands Ranch.  “The Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights passed because Coloradans wanted to keep their government in check.”

The vote to support Coloradans' right to approve or reject tax increases died on a 3-3 vote, with Republicans voting in favor of the measure.  Democrat Senate President Brandon Shaffer of Longmont, Senate Majority Leader John Morse, D-Colorado Springs, and House Minority Leader Sal Pace, D-Pueblo, voted against supporting the right of Colorado voters.  Morse is a plaintiff in a lawsuit against the state, claiming that the Taxpayer's Bill of Rights is unconstitutional, because it requires a vote of the people on all tax increases.   

“For years, Democrats in the General Assembly worked to push through tax increase after tax increase, to pay for their big government agenda.  That time has come to an end thanks to House Republicans,” said House Majority Leader Amy Stephens, R-Monument.  “For the first time in years, the General Assembly passed a budget that reined in the government’s out of control spending.”

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