< Back April 19, 2019 BIPARTISAN BILL TO ‘BAN THE BOX’ ON COLLEGE APPLICATIONS PASSES HOUSE Approximately 70 percent of college applications ask for information on prior convictions (Apr. 19) – The House approved a bill sponsored by Rep. Leslie Herod, D-Denver, and Rep. Matt Soper, R-Delta, that would prohibit questions regarding criminal history on an initial college application. “Two out of three people who start a college application and select yes to the question regarding criminal history do not finish the application,” said Rep. Herod. “Banning the Box will give students a chance to tell their own story and will help those with a criminal record get a college degree, a critical achievement for success in today’s job market.” The bill would not prohibit questions regarding criminal history on college housing applications. Educational programming reduces recidivism by 40 percent and provides opportunities for employment and positive support that decrease the likelihood of committing future crimes. There is no evidence to suggest that criminal history considerations have any impact on campus safety. The bill passed with a bipartisan vote of 43-21, with Rep. Kevin Van Winkle and Rep. Jim Wilson joining Democrats and the bill sponsors in supporting the bill. SB19-170 now heads to the Governor’s desk. Rep. Herod also sponsored a bill, HB19-1025 , that restricts employers from asking an applicant about their criminal history on the initial application, but allows them to inquire at any other stage of the hiring process. That bill is on its way to the Governor’s desk. Previous Next

The House today passed legislation to save Coloradans money on health care and support Emergency Medical Services (EMS) workers, especially in rural and underserved communities. < Back March 9, 2026 House Passes Bill to Lower Emergency Health Care Costs, Sustain Rural EMS DENVER, CO – The House today passed legislation to save Coloradans money on health care and support Emergency Medical Services (EMS) workers, especially in rural and underserved communities. “This bill really is a win-win for Colorado – it saves our state millions of dollars and supports our EMS personnel and the patients they serve,” said Rep. Lisa Feret, D-Arvada. “This policy allows our neighbors to be transported by EMS to the proper location, like behavioral health facilities, and receive treatment in place. Together, we’re saving everyone time and freeing up emergency room beds for those who truly need them.” “When I worked as an EMT in Southwest Colorado, we provided on-site care to many patients, but EMS was often not reimbursed for those calls because we didn’t transport patients to the emergency room,” said Rep. Katie Stewart, D-Durango. “Without proper reimbursement, EMS in rural communities like mine are running on thin margins, and this bill helps them receive the reimbursement they deserve for the care they provide. Our bill saves patients money by giving EMS the option to transport patients to a behavioral health crisis center, or forgo transport altogether when appropriate.” HB26-1069 passed the House by a vote of 62-0. This bill would streamline funding for EMS in Colorado by expanding the services eligible for reimbursement. EMS providers regularly provide essential on-site treatment, also known as treatment in place (TIP), which costs significantly less than a trip to the emergency room. However, EMS providers are only reimbursed if they transport a patient to an emergency room, even when that transport is not necessary. To help bridge some of the EMS funding gaps and reduce strain on health care providers, this bill would require private insurance and Medicaid to reimburse EMS for TIP. To save patients and the state money on health care and sustain EMS in rural communities, this bill permits reimbursable EMS transit when an individual experiencing a behavioral health crisis is transported to a crisis stabilization facility. HB26-1069 also improves access to care by allowing Medicaid to reimburse for certain telehealth care involving EMS. TIP limits the need for costly emergency room visits, saving the state and patients money on health care. For example, a federal TIP pilot program showed a 193-percent cost-to-savings ratio for Medicare members receiving TIP services instead of emergency room visits. On the Western Slope, a 2022 analysis of 911 calls in Eagle County revealed that TIP reimbursement accounted for a preliminary cost savings of $1,285.40 to the state per TIP call. If passed, HB26-1069 would save Colorado $2.1 million in FY 2026-27, $4.6 million in FY 2027-28 and $4.9 million in future years. Lastly, HB26-1069 ensures that social workers who co-respond in emergency settings are classified as first responders and receive the same benefits as EMS providers, which will strengthen workforce recruitment and retention, especially in rural or underserved areas. Previous Next

2023 School Finance Act increases average per pupil K-12 public school funding by a record 10.6 percent < Back May 15, 2023 SIGNED! Bipartisan Bills to Make Record Investment in K-12 Public Schools, Improve Math Scores & Support Special Education Become Law 2023 School Finance Act increases average per pupil K-12 public school funding by a record 10.6 percent THORNTON, CO – Three bills to invest in public schools and set students up for success were signed into law by Governor Polis today. SB23-287, the bipartisan School Finance Act sponsored by Senator Rachel Zenzinger, D-Arvada, Senate Minority Leader Paul Lundeen, R-Monument, and Reps. Barbara McLachlan, D-Durango, and Cathy Kipp, D-Fort Collins, raises the statewide average of per pupil funding to $10,614 and reduces the Budget Stabilization Factor by $180 million, while committing lawmakers to fully eliminating the Budget Stabilization Factor for the 2024-2025 school year. “Every Colorado student deserves a quality education that meets their individual needs and prepares them for success,” said Zenzinger, sponsor of SB23-287 and SB23-099. “Education is my number one priority at the legislature, which is why I am so proud of the major step forward we’re taking today on the path to fully funding public education in Colorado. We have more work ahead of us, but this year’s School Finance Act contains the largest commitment to public education in Colorado history, something our schools desperately need and deserve.” “As a former teacher, I know firsthand how crucial it is to properly invest in our students and schools to provide the necessary resources to allow them to thrive,” said McLachlan, sponsor of SB23-287 and HB23-1231. “These new laws increase per pupil funding, commit to buying down the Budget Stabilization Factor over the next two years, and provide after-school math lesson opportunities. Addressing the Budget Stabilization Factor was one of the main reasons I ran for office, and I’m proud that the School Finance Act makes significant progress to properly fund our schools. Colorado students deserve a quality education, and these new laws will boost math performance and allow our students to better succeed in school through increased funding.” “Today, Colorado is taking a critical step in providing robust funding for our schools to help students learn and thrive,” said Kipp, sponsor of SB23-099 and SB23-287. “Our new laws will fund special education services within our schools and invest $665 million more annually in Colorado’s K-12 public schools to reduce classroom sizes, increase teacher pay and ensure schools have the resources they need to provide every student the high quality education they deserve. These laws will create a better learning environment for all of our students while better supporting schools and educators.” SB23-287 also includes a $30 million one-time appropriation for rural schools, and brings total K-12 funding for the 2023-24 budget year to more than $9.1 billion. This funding can be used to reduce class sizes, increase teacher pay, and provide individualized support to help students learn. The bill will also create a task force charged with examining Colorado's public school financing system and making recommendations that would make the school finance formula more transparent, equitable, and student-centered. Polis also signed bipartisan legislation sponsored by McLachlan and Senator Janice Marchman, D-Loveland, to improve Colorado students' math performances from pre-K to 12th grade. Also sponsored by Senate Minority Leader Lundeen and Rep. Rose Pugliese, R-Colorado Springs, HB23-1231 provides robust support for students, families, and teachers through evidence-informed tools and programs to expand time-on-task math engagement for students and training for educators and parents. The new law makes it easier for students to get the support they need to improve their math skills both in and out of school. “Colorado kids deserve the best possible education, but right now too many of our students are failing to earn a passing grade when it comes to their math skills,” said Marchman. “As a math teacher I know firsthand how crucial these skills are, which is why I am proud to see this bill signed into law. Resources like after-school programs and specialized training will give parents and educators the tools they need to get our kids caught up, and will help ensure that students of all ages are getting the high-quality education they need to thrive.” HB23-1231 permits the Colorado Department of Education (CDE) to provide free math training and technical assistance for teachers to incorporate math education tools in the classrooms and identify areas of improvement for students. The new law will enable schools to send notifications to parents and caregivers if their students are underperforming or struggling in math, and incorporates a train-the-parent model to increase understanding of math concepts at home. It also creates a new state-based grant program focused on after-school math and STEM improvement. In addition, HB23-1231 integrates early numeracy into universal preschool quality standards and establishes a Ninth Grade Success Grant Program to help students tackle math concepts at a critical point in their education. Finally, Polis signed bipartisan legislation sponsored by Zenzinger and Kipp that will boost funding and improve special education in Colorado. Also sponsored by Sen. Barbara Kirkmeyer, R-Weld County, and Rep. Lisa Frizell, R-Castle Rock, SB23-099 will increase the required annual appropriation to CDE by an additional $40 million, and will help bring down student-teacher ratios, decrease class sizes, and help schools provide tailored assistance for students within special education to support their learning needs and ensure they receive the quality education they deserve. SB23-099 builds off the success of last year’s SB22-127 , which dramatically increased funding for more than 100,000 Colorado special education students, from about $220 million per year to more than $300 million per year moving forward. Previous Next

< Back May 4, 2021 HOUSE PASSES BILL TO SAVE CONSUMERS AND STATE GOV $$ ON RX DRUGS DENVER, CO– The House today passed bipartisan legislation sponsored by Representatives Susan Lontine and Janice Rich to establish a competitive Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) marketplace, which will lower pharmacy benefit costs for Colorado state government, private employers, and consumers across the state. The bill passed by a vote of 52-11 “By creating a competitive marketplace for pharmacy benefit managers, we can reduce prescription drug costs for Coloradans and save our state money on the prescription drug plans it purchases,” said Rep. Susan Lontine, D-Denver. “This innovative policy is saving other states and consumers millions while increasing transparency. House Democrats have made reducing the cost of prescription drugs and health insurance a top priority, and we’re committed to continuing this progress and saving consumers money on their health care.” HB21-1237 would establish a competitive marketplace for PBMs. Under the bill, the state would procure a technology platform that would allow PBMs to bid against each other in a reverse auction to secure state and private pharmacy benefit contracts. The state or private employers would then be able to select the lowest bidder. The bill creates a modern and transparent process to secure PBM contracts and allows for an audit of invoices to ensure PBMs are meeting their contract terms and to prevent consumers from overpaying. PBMs were created to help consumers save money on prescription drugs. However, often the PBMs negotiate discounts, but then keep the savings instead of passing them along to consumers. A reverse auction allows the state or employers to do an apples to apples comparison of each PBM’s pricing proposal. Initial estimates show the state could save between $6.7 million and $10.24 million a year. Previous Next

< Back June 8, 2021 HOUSE PASSES BILL TO REDUCE PROPERTY TAXES DENVER, CO– The House today passed legislation by a vote of 42-23 to change the property tax categories and responsibly provide property tax relief to Coloradans without devastating local government revenue. “Local governments, schools, fire districts, police and local libraries would be devastated by permanently losing nearly $1 billion in revenue every year,” said Majority Leader Daneya Esgar, D-Pueblo. “Today, we passed legislation that will responsibly reduce property tax rates and target assistance to the Coloradans and businesses that need it the most. We can’t allow rural Colorado to take a substantial hit as property values rise in more populated areas of the state.” “Today, we passed legislation that will responsibly reduce property tax rates,” said Matt Gray, D-Broomfield. “By thoughtfully creating new categories for properties such as for agricultural properties or single family homes, we can direct relief where it’s needed the most.” Sponsored by Majority Leader Daneya Esgar and Representative Matt Gray, SB21-293 would temporarily lower property tax assessment rates on several classes of residential and commercial property. The bill creates three new subclasses of non-residential property: agricultural, lodging, and renewable energy production property. It also establishes multi-family residential property as a new subclass of residential property. The bill applies new, lower assessment rates to these property classes. The assessment rate on multi-family residences (apartment buildings, condominium buildings) would be lowered from 7.15 percent to 6.95 percent. The assessment rate on single family owner occupied primary residences would also drop from 7.15 percent to 6.95 percent. For second homes and short term rental properties, the assessment rate would remain the same. The bill also expands the property tax deferral program to allow homeowners whose tax bills grow by more than four percent over the last two years to defer the amount that exceeds the four percent growth, up to to $10,000. If a statewide measure passes to reduce residential property rates, it would only apply to multi-family properties. For non-residential properties, agricultural and renewal energy production properties would see their rate reduced from 29 percent to 26.4 percent. If a statewide measure passes to reduce nonresidential property rates, it would only apply to lodging properties. Remaining commercial property rates would remain at 29 percent. Previous Next

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< Back March 18, 2022 TWO BILLS TO BOOST ACCESS TO BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CARE PASS COMMITTEE Legislation will improve access to care by investing $100 million to expand inpatient and residential treatment, and better integrate physical and behavioral health care DENVER, CO – The House Public & Behavioral Health & Human Services Committee passed two bills today that will boost access to behavioral health care by expanding the state’s inpatient and residential treatment capacity and better integrating physical and behavioral health care. Both bills are based on recommendations from the Behavioral Health Transformational Task Force and seize a once-in-a-generation opportunity to address Colorado’s most pressing needs. “We’re making a $65 million investment to expand inpatient and residential treatment care and services in Colorado,” said Rep. Judy Amabile, D-Boulder. “Right now, we don’t have enough treatment beds to meet the needs of Coloradans with substance use disorders and serious mental illness. This transformational investment will fund 16 beds in Fort Logan and 125 residential care beds across the state so more Coloradans can get access to the treatment they need and deserve. Expanding treatment and residential care capacity is just one of the many ways we’re working to ensure Coloradans have access to the lifesaving care they need, when they need it.” “Improving the integration between physical and behavioral health care will help build healthier communities and improve outcomes,” said Rep. Chris Kennedy, D-Lakewood. “Thanks to the $35 million investment in this bill, Coloradans can access critical behavioral health care and primary care from the same place, saving them time, money and hassle. Behavioral and physical health are equally important in overall health and this bill makes it easier for Coloradans to access critical care such as mental health counseling and substance use disorder screening and treatment.” Adult Inpatient and Residential Care: HB22-1303 , sponsored by Representatives Judy Amabile and Shane Sandridge, invests $65 million to expand inpatient and residential treatment options. Currently, Colorado does not have enough residential treatment beds to treat individuals with serious mental illness or substance use disorders, including individuals with co-occuring conditions or in need of civil commitment. The bill supports the addition of 16 beds at the Colorado Mental Health Institute at Fort Logan and 125 residential treatment beds across the state. These beds will be available for adults with urgent behavioral health needs who need clinical support to become stabilized. They will provide integrated care to flexibly serve all populations, including individuals involved in the criminal justice system and those awaiting competency restoration services. HB22-1303 passed committee by a vote of 9 to 1. Integrating Primary Care and Behavioral Health Care: HB22-1302 , sponsored by Representatives Chris Kennedy and Perry Will, invests $35 million to improve behavioral health outcomes by better integrating physical and behavioral health care. The bill will provide grants to primary care practices to integrate behavioral health care into their clinical models, helping Coloradans access whole person care and early behavioral health interventions before a crisis. The transformational investment will increase access to mental health and substance use disorder screening and treatment and help coordinate referrals to other levels of care. The funding could be used to better streamline and co-locate behavioral and physical health care services in outpatient, pediatric and primary care settings. HB22-1302 passed committee by a vote of 10 to 1. Previous Next

< Back May 26, 2022 JOINT RELEASE: SIGNED! BIPARTISAN LEGISLATION TO SAVE COLORADANS MONEY ON HOUSING New laws will extend the Colorado Affordable Tax Credit program, help transform our state’s housing infrastructure ARVADA, CO – Governor Jared Polis today signed a pair of bipartisan bills to save Coloradans money on housing and create, modify and improve housing that families can afford. SB22-159 , sponsored by Senators Jeff Bridges, D-Greenwood Village, and Rachel Zenzinger, D-Arvada, and Representatives David Ortiz, D-Littleton, and Perry Will, R-New Castle, will invest $150 million to create the Transformational Affordable Housing Revolving Loan Program to develop and integrate housing-related infrastructure, provide gap financing for housing development projects, and preserve and rehabilitate existing affordable housing. “Families are feeling squeezed as housing prices continue to skyrocket across our state, leaving far too many without housing options they can afford,” Bridges said. “With this new law, we’re going to make a historic investment to cut costs and make Colorado a more affordable place to live, work and raise a family. By developing more housing that is affordable to families, we can ensure that more Coloradans have a safe place to call home.” “Today, we’re making the largest investment in affordable housing in Colorado state history – and I couldn’t be more proud of our bipartisan efforts,” Ortiz said. “Thanks to recommendations from the Affordable Housing Transformational Task Force, we’re investing $150 million to create, modify and improve Colorado’s affordable housing stock. This once-in-a-generation investment will boost the supply of affordable housing and make an affordable home a reality for so many Coloradans across our state.” “To solve Colorado’s crisis in affordable housing, we must encourage developers and the construction industry to expand our inventory,” Zenzinger said. “The task force made this program a top priority because of the regenerative nature of the funds attached. The availability of affordable housing allows us to make progress on the solution of a myriad other problems in Colorado, and I am pleased to see it signed into law.” SB22-159 is based on recommendations from the Affordable Housing Transformational Task Force . Polis also signed HB22-1051 , championed by Rep. Shannon Bird, D-Westminster, and House Minority Leader Hugh McKean, R-Loveland, and Senators Rachel Zenzinger, D-Arvada, and Dennis Hisey, R-Fountain, which will save Coloradans money on housing by extending the Colorado Affordable Housing Tax Credit until 2031. “The seven-year extension to the Affordable Housing Tax Credit is critical to its success right now, because everyone involved in the production and allocation of affordable housing is looking for stability in the system,” Zenzinger said. “We can’t allow ourselves to get halfway down the road toward a solution, only to have the rug pulled from under developers, bankers and other stakeholders.” “When it comes to affordable housing in Colorado, demand vastly exceeds supply which is why we’re extending this successful tax credit program to ensure more families have access to quality, affordable housing,” Bird said. “To date, the CHFA tax credit has directly supported the development and preservation of over 8,000 affordable homes across our state and has attracted more than $1.07 billion in private sector equity to support the state’s housing needs. This law extends the tax credit and will make housing more affordable for many more Coloradans.” The new law will extend the tax credit program – set to expire in 2024 – for an additional 7 years, which will continue to help leverage private funds to support the development and preservation of affordable rental housing. This simple extension will result in at least $420 million in additional tax credits that can be allocated by the Colorado Housing and Finance Authority (CHFA) over the next nine years. According to CHFA , the Colorado Affordable Housing Tax Credit has directly supported the development of 8,294 affordable rental units and allowed CHFA to support 28,267 total units using state and federal funds. Estimates suggest the development of these units generates more than $3.6 billion in economic activity for the state and supports almost 24,000 jobs, while generating more than $1 billion in private sector equity investment in Colorado. The program is an important source of funding for constructing new affordable rental housing in communities across the state. Previous Next

Representative Meghan Lukens today released the following statements on the Cell Phone Connectivity Interim Study Committee’s latest Colorado tour. < Back September 4, 2024 Cell Phone Connectivity Committee Tours Rural Cell Phone Infrastructure DENVER, CO - Representative Meghan Lukens today released the following statements on the Cell Phone Connectivity Interim Study Committee ’s latest Colorado tour. The bipartisan interim committee toured a handful of locations in Garfield, Eagle and Clear Creek Counties. Chair Rep. Meghan Lukens, D-Steamboat Springs: “We know with better cell phone service, Coloradans can have peace of mind when traveling through the mountains. Today’s tour allowed us to not only engage with experts about some of the challenges of cell phone connectivity in rural Colorado, but to learn more about what it takes to make cell phone coverage reliable in remote areas. “Local emergency response centers in the mountains play a massive role year-round to keep our communities safe, and this tour allowed us to experience some of the tactics they use to stay connected in any condition. “As our committee works toward finalizing legislation for next year’s legislative session, tours like this one provide critical, local insight to boosting cell phone connectivity in our state.” Yesterday, committee members toured Hanging Lakes in Glenwood Canyon, a popular site for tourists and locals alike, as well as Macro Cell Tower in Vail and Vail Public Safety Communications Center. Committee members then completed their visit with an inside tour of the Eisenhower Tunnel located near Keystone in Clear Creek County. The September 3rd tour showcased the large-scale operations, infrastructure and emergency response networks needed in rural Colorado for fast, reliable cell phone service. Previous Next

< Back March 21, 2019 JBC JOINT RELEASE: DEMOCRATS WORKING TO DELIVER FOR COLORADO (Mar. 21) – The Joint Budget Committee completed negotiations on the budget recently and approved the “Long Bill” package for introduction. Democrats are focused on responsibly managing tax-payer dollars while taking care of the priorities of the entire state. Democratic members of the committee released the following statements: “I am confident that this budget will enable us to address the needs of Coloradans across this great state in a fiscally responsible manner,” said JBC Chair Senator Dominick Moreno, D-Commerce City. “We won Democratic majorities because we had a strong, clear vision for solutions to issues like rising healthcare costs and a lack of education and transportation funding. I am confident that this budget will enable us to make necessary investments to help hardworking Colorado families while also protecting our state’s long-term finances.” “I’m proud of the bipartisan and responsible budget we are putting forward that addresses our state’s most pressing needs and reflects the values of all Coloradans, ” said JBC Vice-Chair Representative Daneya Esgar, D-Pueblo. “Families and individuals in Southern Colorado will be better served by the responsible investments we are making in health care, transportation and other priorities by having more access to full-day kindergarten.” Several highlights of the budget package completed today are: Increases K-12 education funding by $335.9 million, including an additional $77 million buy-down of the budget stabilization factor and a $185 million set-aside for a bill that would begin to implement full-day Kindergarten Invests in higher education to keep tuition flat for students Frees up preschool slots for Colorado’s youngest learners Increases funding towards the Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities waitlist so more people can access the services they need Invests an additional $30 million General Fund in transportation, on top of $200 million already budgeted this year for transportation Adds $10 million for implementation of the Colorado Water Plan Adds $1 million for family planning services Makes critical investments in mental health care services “We were able to balance many competing priorities because of the JBC’s commitment to writing this budget in a bipartisan and fiscally responsible way,” said Senator Zenzinger, D-Arvada. “These decisions were difficult, but I believe that we have drafted a budget that will address many of our state’s biggest needs and ultimately improve the lives of Coloradans in every corner of our state.” “In the face of needless trade wars, a poorly targeted federal tax change and uncertainty from Washington, we are still able to put forward a budget that is responsible and works for all ,” said Rep. Chris Hansen, D-Denver. “This an historic opportunity for all of us here in Colorado to put more kids on the path to receiving a strong education and I’m happy we have a found a way to invest in Colorado’s students and education that carefully manages tax payer dollars.” The Joint Budget Committee staff will complete drafting on the Long Bill package that was approved today, and the package will be introduced in the Senate for consideration next week. Previous Next

SB25-005 would update the 80-year-old Colorado Labor Peace Act to empower workers, increase wages and strengthen the middle class < Back May 5, 2025 Worker Protection Act Advances House DENVER, CO — The House today advanced legislation on a preliminary vote to update Colorado’s labor law and support workers. SB25-005 is sponsored by Representative Javier Mabrey and Assistant Majority Leader Jennifer Bacon. “Since the 1970s, we've seen income inequality skyrocket to levels we haven't seen since the 1920s as union membership has declined due to anti-union laws like the ones we have in Colorado,” said Rep. Javier Mabrey, D-Denver. “Since the New Deal, we've had one silver bullet for growing the economy, and that's unions. To establish basic principles of workplace democracy and fairness, this bill would make it easier for workers to form and sustain unions. Passing this legislation affirms our support as Democrats for workers and their right to collective bargaining in the workplace.” “To strengthen the middle class, we need to uplift working people and empower unions to fight for them,” said Assistant Majority Leader Jennifer Bacon, D-Denver. “This bill gives workers the power to negotiate for a better life for themselves and their families and increase wages, benefits and workplace safety. Unionized workers currently earn more than non-unionized workers in the same industry; this bill is about standing up for workers and strengthening their collective voice.” The Worker Protection Act ( SB25-005 ) updates the Colorado Labor Peace Act to make it easier for workers to negotiate a union security clause in the collective bargaining process. Currently, Colorado labor law requires two elections for workers seeking to form a union and collect dues: one that meets the federal standard set by the National Labor Relations Act and a second election which must be won by a supermajority approval of at least 75 percent of those who vote, or 50 percent plus one of all employees eligible to vote, whichever is greater. This process creates a uniquely high threshold for workers to achieve the right to negotiate with their employers. From the 40-hour work week to child labor laws, unions are incredibly beneficial to our economy, democracy and strengthening working families. Union workers earn 10.2 percent more than non-union workers with similar jobs and qualifications. Unions also play a role in boosting wages across the board – wages in states with anti-worker laws are 3.1 percent lower than in states with these laws. Unions also help reduce income inequality and bridge racial and gender pay gaps. Additionally, unions help increase homeownership and help Coloradans build wealth. For example, working class union households are 13 percent more likely to own a home, and non-white Hispanic households experience a 17 percent increase relative to non-union households. Previous Next

< Back May 15, 2021 DEMS ADVANCE TAX FAIRNESS PACKAGE Bills would limit subsidies for the wealthiest individuals and largest corporations to provide tax assistance to hardworking Coloradans and small businesses DENVER, CO– The House Finance Committee today advanced legislation that would provide economic assistance to hardworking families and small businesses. The two bills boost the state Earned Income Tax Credit, fund the state Child Tax Credit, and raise the exemption for business personal property taxes by limiting loopholes for the wealthiest individuals and largest corporations. “We have a choice to make–we can create a fair tax system that supports the families, workers and small businesses who are being left behind in our recovery, or we can continue outdated and ineffective tax windfalls for the wealthiest individuals and most profitable corporations,” said Rep. Emily Sirota, D-Denver. “Low wage workers and small businesses are falling behind as special interests protect their ineffective and outdated tax subsidies. As we emerge from this pandemic, we have to do everything possible to help all Coloradans recover as quickly as possible and build back stronger.” “This pandemic and recovery have not treated all Coloradans the same; the wealthy and largest businesses have fully recovered as middle and lower-income workers are falling behind,” said Rep. Mike Weissman, D-Aurora. “Colorado’s billionaires grew their wealth by $10 billion since the pandemic began. We can either create a fairer tax code that lowers taxes on small businesses and increases assistance to hardworking families, or we can continue outdated loopholes that only benefit a few of the most prosperous corporations and wealthiest individuals. The choice is clear to me.” HB21-1311 would boost the incomes of over 300,000 hardworking Coloradans by increasing the state Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) to 20 percent of the federal credit and by funding the state’s Child Tax Credit, which was created in 2013, but has never been funded. In order to provide this relief, the bill closes loopholes primarily used for tax avoidance or which only benefit three-tenths of a percent of the wealthiest tax filers, such as eliminating at the state level business meals deduction expanded by the Federal Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and requiring filers to report financial accounts held in foreign tax shelters. HB21-1312 would eliminate business personal property taxes (BPPT) for over two-thirds of the businesses that remit BPPT. Currently, businesses with under $7,900 in business personal property do not have to pay BPPT. The bill increases this exemption to $50,000. In addition to providing an important tax cut to tens of thousands of small businesses, raising the exemption means businesses will no longer have to complete and submit burdensome paperwork needed to claim the BPPT exemption. In order to provide this relief, the bill modifies ineffective tax subsidies for the largest businesses, such as strengthening the criteria insurance companies must meet in order receive a 50 percent discount on their insurance premium tax rate. Many of the tax expenditures that these bills seek to close or limit have been identified by the State Auditor as ineffective and only benefit a small number of businesses and Colorado’s wealthiest residents. The bills seek to narrow expenditures that benefit only a few individuals and large businesses in order to provide broad tax relief to large numbers of hardworking Coloradans and small businesses. For fact sheets or to learn more about the bills visit taxjustice.co Previous Next