House GOP Encouraged by Administration’s Defense of Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights

DENVER—Only weeks after House and Senate Democrat leadership voted against supporting the right of Coloradans to approve or reject all tax increases as set forth in the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights, the Hickenlooper Administration released legal briefs detailing its defense of the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights. 

“I’m encouraged that this administration is defending the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights and the rights of Coloradans threatened by this egregious lawsuit,” said Speaker of the House Frank McNulty, R-Highlands Ranch.  “Coloradans voted for the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights to keep their government in check; it’s important that elected officials understand that.”

According to The Denver Post the brief states:  

“From the very first paragraph of their complaint, plaintiffs make clear that this case is an effort to have the courts remove what they see as an obstacle to their policy agenda: direct citizen participation in lawmaking."

In July, the Executive Committee of Legislative Council held a vote to support Coloradans' right to approve or reject tax increases.  The measure died on a 3-3 vote, with Republicans voting in favor and  Democrat Senate President Brandon Shaffer of Longmont, Senate Majority Leader John Morse, D-Fountain, and House Minority Leader Sal Pace, D-Pueblo, voting against the right of Colorado voters to approve tax increases.  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.   

“Protecting the rights of Coloradans should not be a partisan issue,” said House Majority Leader Amy Stephens, R-Monument.  “It is the responsibility of our government to defend our working families and to protect the right of Colorado voters to vote on tax increases.”    

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