GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KREX) — Most Western Slope citizens have received their ballots, and on them hang decisions that will influence everyone who pays taxes as well as those struggling to put a roof over their heads.
Proposition 121 is a statewide initiative to lower taxes. If passed it will change the flat rate for state income tax from 4.55% to 4.40%. This would universally give a .15% tax cut to all taxpayers. Those opposed to this measure are concerned not only about the loss of funding to state programs which would be about $4,000,000 – or over 3% of the current general fund budget, but also the disparate effects of the cut based on income. It would cut seventy-five dollars off of the tax bill of a Coloradan who makes $50,000 but $375 off a Coloradan who makes $250,000. Almost half of the proposed tax cut’s benefits would go to tax filers making over $200,000 a year
More locally, Mesa County’s ballot measure 1A is connected to the tabor checks you have been getting. Currently, Tabor refunds come out of the county’s general fund, but if passed this will allow the city to pay those refunds out of the city’s capital fund, which is where sales and other taxes are deposited. The city has said that this will not increase taxes and won’t change the amount of the tabor refund.
Also local is the City of Grand Junction’s measure 2C. Its goal encourages affordable housing by extending the period of time the city can lease out land. Right now, when the city owns land, they are limited to 25 years. With the adoption of this measure, that will be extended to 99 years but only for affordable housing projects.