House and Senate Democrats: ‘Tax-No-Treat’

DENVER—The scariest thing facing Colorado’s working families and small businesses this Halloween doesn’t go bump in the night, or fly around on a broom.

The spookiest thing in Colorado is the Democrats’ “Tax-No-Treat” agenda.

“Despite Democrat scare-tactics, the Republican majority in the House showed that we could have a responsible budget that respects working families and job creators without raising taxes” said Speaker of the House Frank McNulty, R-Highlands Ranch.

When Democrats controlled the House and Senate they passed the “Dirty Dozen” tax increases, targeting businesses and families, including a tax increase on Halloween candy.

“Times are tough as it is.  But this Democrat tax increase means neighbors are still paying more to give the little goblins, pirates and princesses candy this Halloween,” McNulty added.  

Several Democrats, including Senate Pres. Brandon Shaffer, D-Longmont, are now supporting Proposition 103, which will further increase taxes on all Coloradans.  According to the Associated Press, Colorado is the only state in the nation to have a tax increase on its ballot this year.  

“Democrats’ ‘Tax-no-Treat’ agenda would continue to hamstring our economy,” said McNulty. “The Democrat tax and spend agenda kills jobs and creates economic insecurity for families and small businesses. Their agenda defies common sense.”

McNulty added that House Republicans will continue to fight on the behalf of Colorado’s job creators and families, promising to reign in government spending without raising taxes on the backs of struggling Coloradans.

Last year, House Republicans successfully removed several of the Democrats’ onerous tax increases and blocked several mandates and regulations that would have made it more difficult for Colorado to emerge from this recession.

· Killing Small Businesses—Would have mandated specific wage and benefit requirements for certain businesses.  HB 11-1238

· Filling the Big Labor Treat Bag—Would have required certain state public works contractors to provide prevailing wages and fringe benefits to their workers. HB 11-1070

· Attacking Colorado Consumers—Would have forced manufacturers to pay a fee and implement recycling programs for certain electronic devices. HB 11-1052.

· Beverage Trick—Would have required consumers and beverage distributors to pay deposits on beverage containers and would have required distributors to fulfill certain registration and reporting requirements. HB 11-1247.

· Harassing School Districts—Would have required schools to satisfy expensive-energy efficient design conditions for new or redesigned buildings. HB 11-1204.

· Spending Limit—House Republicans passed a bill to create a Rainy Day Fund and reinstate the state spending limit that Democrats repealed in 2009. HB 1280.

· HOPE Act—House Republicans passed a bill to opt Colorado out of federal health care measures. HB 1273.

· Federal Balanced Budget Requirement—House Republicans passed a resolution calling on Congress to adopt a constitutional balanced budget requirement. HJR 1017.

· Regulation Limitations—House Republicans passed a bill to limit new regulations that increase the cost of conducting business in Colorado. HB 1044.

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