And this will be a summer of campaigning all across Adams County. No incumbent, no Democrat has a safe seat this time around so, please, volunteer some time to the Democratic candidate of your choice. We need walkers, callers and those who will display campaign signs. Please help!

PAY ATTENTION TO 60,61 AND 101!!

Many businesses, school personnel, lawmakers and non-profit organizations (just to mention a few) are coming together to oppose 3 very serious ballot initiatives that would drastically impact local and state governments as well as transportation funding. Proposition 101, Amendment 60 and Amendment 61 would, if adopted, significantly reduce government revenues or limit the ability of local governments and school districts to manage their finances.

Proposition 101 would lower motor vehicle ownership taxes to $2 for new vehicles and $1 for other vehicles over four years, limit combined motor vehicle registration and license fees to no more than $10, phase in a sales tax exemption for buying a vehicle over $10,000 and decrease individual income tax rates. The proposed income tax reduction alone would decrease general fund revenues by an estimated $1 billion.

Amendment 60 would amend TABOR and place stricter limits on property taxes. The amendment also limits future voter approved property tax increases to 10 years and allows voters to petition on the local ballot for lower property tax rates in every election. If adopted, the overall result of this amendment would be to reduce the property tax base for counties, cities, school districts and special districts and to make that base subject to change each election cycle, which would impact the long-term funding of services delivered by the local government entities.

Amendment 61 would amend Article XI of the state constitution that applies to debts by government entities by prohibiting both state and local governments from contracting any "debt by loan in any form" without prior voter approval. Amendment 61 would also amend TABOR by imposing several limits on borrowing. If Amendment 61 passes, local governments and school districts would have to reduce their revenue by the amount of this short-term borrowing, in effect reducing their total revenues and budgets.

Please vote "No" on these November ballot measures. They truly would reduce the benefits we all receive from our tax dollars. Before you think this sounds like a great deal, consider which governmental services you want to do without in the state of Colorado.

Find out more information. It is always better to vote from an informed position.

Respectfully, Representative Cherylin Peniston - HD35

P.S. (Some of this information was taken from the 36 Commuting Solutions June newsletter.)