Colorado Democrats Draw Criticism for Proposing Use of Tabor Refunds for Their "Child Poverty" Initiative
Controversy erupted as Colorado Democrats put forward a plan to allocate a significant portion of the state's $1.8 billion surplus towards the introduction of Child Tax Credits for lower-income families, as well as healthcare and childcare workers – without citizenship requirements.
The proposed bill, HB24-131, offers up to $3,200 per child under six, has drawn criticism for its intention to utilize the Tabor refunds, a tax refund mechanism in Colorado, to fund another liberal Democrat initiative.
The proposal has ignited angry debate among the public, with many expressing their opposition to the plan.
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Numerous comments reflect a sentiment that the Tabor funds should be returned to hardworking taxpayers, rather than being directed towards what they perceive as a social justice agenda or indigent migrants. Critics argue that there are already sufficient programs in place to support low-income earners and believe that the government should not dictate how their tax dollars are spent.
"No, it belongs to all of the taxpayers! There are enough programs in place for low-income earners. Do not punish us because of our earnings. If you pay taxes in Colorado, then this is a benefit," one comment was read into the record.
"Refund our TABOR dollars! If we choose to donate, we will do that. We don't need the government to make those decisions for us," another individual expressed.
Colorado Democrats are considering utilizing a significant portion of the state’s $1.8 billion surplus to introduce Child Tax Credits aimed at assisting lower-income families, alongside credits to aid people employed in healthcare and childcare sectors. (KJCT8)
Concerns about potential misallocation of funds have also been raised, with some suggesting that the money could be diverted towards politicians' personal projects rather than benefiting the citizens, according to KJCT8.
"Tabor is tax dollars that should never have been collected! Not another fund for politician's pet projects," a critic argued.
Amidst the dissent, alternative suggestions for utilizing the surplus have emerged. Some propose using marijuana tax or lottery funds to combat child hunger, while others advocate for using the refund to address senior poverty.
READ MORE:
COLORADANS ARE PROJECTED TO RECEIVE SLIGHTLY LOWER TAXPAYER REFUNDS NEXT YEAR THAN ANTICIPATED
TABOR REFUNDS ON SPECIAL SESSION AGENDA DESPITE PROPOSITION HH DEFEAT
DESPITE THE TAXES YOU PAID, YOUR TABOR REFUND WILL BE THE SAME AS EVERYONE ELSE
The public response to the news varies, but a common theme in the comments is a demand for transparency and accountability in the allocation of the surplus. While some acknowledge the potential benefits of the proposed Child Tax Credits, many others firmly believe that the Tabor funds should either be returned to taxpayers or directed towards alternative purposes.
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