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Shenanigans

Below is the piece that I wrote for the latest Looking@Lakewood. The City decided not to print it. Saying that it is an opinion piece about an upcoming ballot issue. I asked for guidance as to which part was opinion, so that I could change that part. I was informed that it’s all opinion. While I understand that saying “Shenanigans” is probably an opinion, (I’d say it’s a fact),  paragraphs 1, most of 2, 3, most of 4, and 5 are all facts.  

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The City Council recently voted 9-1 to place a TABOR termination question on our November ballot. If passed, Lakewood will no longer be subject to TABOR restrictions, ending TABOR refunds permanently. I was the sole dissenting vote.

I believe this qualifies as Shenanigans because voters might not fully understand the implications. The ballot claims, “Without increasing current taxes or adding any new tax,” which is technically true. However, the TABOR rebate will disappear. If you lose a rebate (or pay more ‘fees’) and end up paying more, haven’t your taxes effectively increased?  When is a tax increase not a tax increase? Never.

The ballot also states that funds will be earmarked for Police, Parks, and Public Works. While this is accurate, (Lakewood has a ‘Tabor Fund’ which contained $30 million at the end of 2022) these departments already consume nearly 80% of the city’s budget. In 2023, they spent $221 million out of a $287 million budget. The reality is that your rebate money will go into the Tabor Fund bucket, which will free up funds in the General Fund Bucket, potentially diverting money to other projects.

Council’s primary priorities has been the Homeless and Government Subsidized Housing (often termed Affordable Housing). This is where the money will actually go. This is not a secret, it is what the vast majority of Councilors favor.

If you’re willing to give up your TABOR rights to fund these initiatives, that’s your choice. But you should be fully informed about what you’re voting for.

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