FreedomWorks

For Republicans, when liberal newspapers suddenly start celebrating your tax and budget “vision,” it’s an unmistakable sign that you’re on the wrong path.

That’s certainly the case for Governor Owens and the recent Denver Post editorial, “Owens Shows Fiscal Vision,” (7/5/05). Overall Colorado state spending will increase seven percent this year—nearly three times the rate of inflation—yet Gov. Owens is suddenly claiming that the state is in a budget “crisis” in need of dramatic action.

His answer: Referendum C, which is the largest tax increase in Colorado state history. Governor Owen’s latest fiscal vision is simply unblinking support for higher taxes and more spending. Ref C would allow the state legislature to seize taxpayer refunds due under TABOR. At current estimates, Ref C will result in $3.7 billion in higher Colorado taxes over the next five years. Further, Ref C has no ceiling— no matter how big your future TABOR tax refunds might be, the state will take them all.

Only the Denver Post and Gov. Owens could see “crisis” in a budget that increases by seven percent and “vision” in the Ref C tax hike. The rest of us clearly see the specter of a multi-billion dollar money grab.