Author: Douglas Bruce
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GUEST COLUMN: A simple solution for tax rates
In 1978, Proposition 13 cut California’s property taxes 65 percent. It won 64 percent voter approval. Colorado politicians feared a tax revolt here. In 1982, State Sen. Dennis Gallagher, D-Denver, persuaded 551,334 Colorado voters to “fix” property taxes. “Gallagher” had zero net tax revenue relief. A demagogic property tax shift, it froze residential property tax…
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GUEST COLUMN: Magna Carta anniversary marks freedom’s birthday
Tradition accepts June 15, 1215, as the start of limited government in Anglo-American law. The Magna Carta (“great charter’) was signed under duress by King John. John was the brother and successor to Richard the Lion Heart, whose loyal subjects included that tax rebel, Robin Hood. King John was known for his predatory and avaricious…
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Voters must beware the pitfalls of supporting Amendment 66
Route 66 is a famous highway; Amendment 66 is a fiscal dead end, taking over a billion dollars yearly in new state taxes. Here are three strikes against 66 almost no one knows: The first is their bogus ballot title. TABOR (the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights) requires a tax increase ballot title begin, “Shall state…
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GUEST COLUMNIST: Passage of 300 should have ended stormwater fee fiasco
Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save Does anyone believe Douglas Bruce fought the illegal stormwater tax for three years, with lengthy court battles and two petition campaigns, in order for voters to ratify and prolong it another eight years, costing taxpayers…
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GUEST COLUMNIST: Passage of 300 should have ended stormwater fee fiasco
Does anyone believe Douglas Bruce fought the illegal stormwater tax for three years, with lengthy court battles and two petition campaigns, in order for voters to ratify and prolong it another eight years, costing taxpayers another $60 million? Councilman Bernie Herpin does. Or so he claims. His nonsensical Nov. 15th letter clumsily splices together #300’s…
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GUEST COLUMNIST: City officials work hard to deny right to petition government
Our city government hates petitions. It will do anything it can, legal or not, to stop this traditional means for citizens to vote on laws. Realize, petitions alone never change anything — they only let us vote. But people power can trump politician power; that’s why the city fears its use. Petitions were protected by…
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City Council’s math doesn’t add up
The City Council opposes tax relief. Surprise, surprise. What is shocking, even scary, is their incompetence with basic numbers. They can’t add. No wonder they always claim a fiscal crisis, year after year. They hysterically attacked both reform petitions, for which we filed 50 percent more signatures than required. They proved yet again they…