In the 2016 ballot language for Issue 2H, the city of Boulder projected an annual revenue of $3.8 million in excise taxes paid by the distributor of sugar-sweetened beverages were 2H to pass, which it did.
Under TABOR, if the tax revenue exceeds projections, the city must refund the excess amount. The projected 2018 tax revenue is expected to be up to $5.2 million. Boulder is asking voters to allow the city to keep revenue that exceeds the 2016 estimates and not refund it to the sweetened beverage product distributors.
2D is very similar to Prop BB in 2015 when the state asked voters for permission to retain marijuana tax revenue because overall state revenue exceeded projections in the Blue Book.
Recommendation: FOR THE MEASURE
The May 8 city council study session packet notes that although city staff “do not believe an additional ballot measure should be required because the TABOR requirement is an estimate, the other jurisdictions that have faced this issue have put a measure on the ballot to keep the excess because the refunding requirements of TABOR are so onerous and could be imposed years after the fact at ten percent interest.”
Only in Colorado do we have the wacky TABOR law that doesn’t let governments keep “excess” revenue. Refunding the money would be a bureaucratic hassle and the refund would not go directly to the voters. Getting a ballot issue that would decrease the tax from its current 2 cents per fluid ounce would make more sense. Even if you always vote against tax increases and tax extensions, you should vote for 2D.
Website for the Yes Side - Healthy Kids, Healthy Boulder
http://www.healthyboulderkids.org/
Website for the No Side
No known website – Info on an opponents’ website appreciated.
Approved Ballot Language
City of Boulder Issue 2D – Authorize Retention of All Sugar-Sweetened Beverages Tax Revenue
Without raising taxes may the city keep all revenues from the 2016 voter-approved sugar-sweetened beverage product distribution excise tax, and continue to collect the tax at the previously approved rate, and spend all revenues collected for the health equity-related purposes previously approved by the voters, without refunding to distributors the amount that exceeded the revenue estimates approved by voters in 2016?
For the Measure ____
Against the Measure____
See Ordinance No. 8267 to put Issue 2D to the voters
https://bouldercolorado.gov/central-records/document-archive then click on Browse City Council Records > Ordinances > 2018 > 8267
Under TABOR, if the tax revenue exceeds projections, the city must refund the excess amount. The projected 2018 tax revenue is expected to be up to $5.2 million. Boulder is asking voters to allow the city to keep revenue that exceeds the 2016 estimates and not refund it to the sweetened beverage product distributors.
2D is very similar to Prop BB in 2015 when the state asked voters for permission to retain marijuana tax revenue because overall state revenue exceeded projections in the Blue Book.
Recommendation: FOR THE MEASURE
The May 8 city council study session packet notes that although city staff “do not believe an additional ballot measure should be required because the TABOR requirement is an estimate, the other jurisdictions that have faced this issue have put a measure on the ballot to keep the excess because the refunding requirements of TABOR are so onerous and could be imposed years after the fact at ten percent interest.”
Only in Colorado do we have the wacky TABOR law that doesn’t let governments keep “excess” revenue. Refunding the money would be a bureaucratic hassle and the refund would not go directly to the voters. Getting a ballot issue that would decrease the tax from its current 2 cents per fluid ounce would make more sense. Even if you always vote against tax increases and tax extensions, you should vote for 2D.
Website for the Yes Side - Healthy Kids, Healthy Boulder
http://www.healthyboulderkids.org/
Website for the No Side
No known website – Info on an opponents’ website appreciated.
Approved Ballot Language
City of Boulder Issue 2D – Authorize Retention of All Sugar-Sweetened Beverages Tax Revenue
Without raising taxes may the city keep all revenues from the 2016 voter-approved sugar-sweetened beverage product distribution excise tax, and continue to collect the tax at the previously approved rate, and spend all revenues collected for the health equity-related purposes previously approved by the voters, without refunding to distributors the amount that exceeded the revenue estimates approved by voters in 2016?
For the Measure ____
Against the Measure____
See Ordinance No. 8267 to put Issue 2D to the voters
https://bouldercolorado.gov/central-records/document-archive then click on Browse City Council Records > Ordinances > 2018 > 8267
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