Tax questions are first on the ballot so this must be a tax question, right? Well, not really. This is a possible tax increase on future oil and gas operations in the city. The tax would be paid by future developers.
Every barrel of oil would have an additional tax of $6.90 imposed by the city. Every thousand cubic feet of natural gas would have an additional $0.88 imposed. The revenue generated would go first toward mitigating any ill effects from oil and gas development, with the remainder going into the general fund.
Recommendation: leaning for the measure
In effect, 2C would impose a “carbon tax” and would discourage oil and gas developers from thinking about setting up shop in the city of Boulder.
Since there are no current oil and gas operations, this ballot measure seems like a solution in search of a problem. Or like a city that is trying to tout its environmental and health credentials as it pretends that it is gouging Big Oil and Gas. This feels very much like a quintessential Boulder ballot issue.
The real purpose of 2C may be for Boulder to lead the way for other cities that are considering imposing a pollution tax. Why not try the legal ballot language and campaign tactics in a city where no risk currently exists? A fair amount of ink went into the analysis to measure the damage from oil and gas operations and to impose an appropriate tax. [Update: Lafayette's 2A is a very similar ballot issue.]
On the one hand, we may not want oil and gas development in our neighborhood. On the other hand, we all ride in gasoline-powered vehicles and the gasoline has to come from somewhere.
Website for the Yes Side
No known website – Info on a supporters’ website appreciated.
Website for the No Side
No known website – Info on an opponents’ website appreciated.
Approved Ballot Language
City of Boulder Issue 2C – Imposition of Oil and Gas Pollution Tax
Shall City of Boulder taxes be increased $0 in 2019 and by whatever amounts are generated annually thereafter through the imposition of an oil and gas pollution tax at the rate of up to $6.90 per barrel of oil and up to $0.88 per thousand cubic feet of natural gas for oil or gas extracted within the Boulder city limits commencing January 1, 2019, and shall revenue from the tax be used to fund costs associated with oil and gas extraction in the city of Boulder and with the remainder used by the general fund and shall all earnings thereon (regardless of amount) constitute a voter approved revenue change, and an exception to the revenue and spending limits of Article X, Section 20 of the Colorado Constitution?
For the Measure ____
Against the Measure ____
See Ordinance No. 8264 to put issue 2C to the voters
https://bouldercolorado.gov/central-records/document-archive then click on Browse City Council Records > Ordinances > 2018 > 8264
Every barrel of oil would have an additional tax of $6.90 imposed by the city. Every thousand cubic feet of natural gas would have an additional $0.88 imposed. The revenue generated would go first toward mitigating any ill effects from oil and gas development, with the remainder going into the general fund.
Recommendation: leaning for the measure
In effect, 2C would impose a “carbon tax” and would discourage oil and gas developers from thinking about setting up shop in the city of Boulder.
Since there are no current oil and gas operations, this ballot measure seems like a solution in search of a problem. Or like a city that is trying to tout its environmental and health credentials as it pretends that it is gouging Big Oil and Gas. This feels very much like a quintessential Boulder ballot issue.
The real purpose of 2C may be for Boulder to lead the way for other cities that are considering imposing a pollution tax. Why not try the legal ballot language and campaign tactics in a city where no risk currently exists? A fair amount of ink went into the analysis to measure the damage from oil and gas operations and to impose an appropriate tax. [Update: Lafayette's 2A is a very similar ballot issue.]
On the one hand, we may not want oil and gas development in our neighborhood. On the other hand, we all ride in gasoline-powered vehicles and the gasoline has to come from somewhere.
Website for the Yes Side
No known website – Info on a supporters’ website appreciated.
Website for the No Side
No known website – Info on an opponents’ website appreciated.
Approved Ballot Language
City of Boulder Issue 2C – Imposition of Oil and Gas Pollution Tax
Shall City of Boulder taxes be increased $0 in 2019 and by whatever amounts are generated annually thereafter through the imposition of an oil and gas pollution tax at the rate of up to $6.90 per barrel of oil and up to $0.88 per thousand cubic feet of natural gas for oil or gas extracted within the Boulder city limits commencing January 1, 2019, and shall revenue from the tax be used to fund costs associated with oil and gas extraction in the city of Boulder and with the remainder used by the general fund and shall all earnings thereon (regardless of amount) constitute a voter approved revenue change, and an exception to the revenue and spending limits of Article X, Section 20 of the Colorado Constitution?
For the Measure ____
Against the Measure ____
See Ordinance No. 8264 to put issue 2C to the voters
https://bouldercolorado.gov/central-records/document-archive then click on Browse City Council Records > Ordinances > 2018 > 8264
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