Only a few hours after Democrats forced a series of tax increases through committee at 2:30 a.m., business leaders battled the cold to rally on the West Steps of the Capitol and speak out against the move.
“This behavior is reminiscent of how Congress notoriously passed pay raises for themselves in the middle of the night,” said Sen. Mark Scheffel, R-Douglas County. “The people of Colorado won’t stand for this kind of underhanded behavior.”
Democrat Gov. Bill Ritter has proposed 13 tax increases, which add up to $131.8 million and would be used to fill the state’s budget deficit. Last night six of the proposals were passed by the House Finance Committee on a 6 to 5 party line vote, with all Democrats voting in favor of the tax increases and all the Republicans opposing them.
Public testimony on the tax hikes resulted in a packed house. Business leaders and activists waiting to voice their opposition spilled into the hallway outside the committee room, with many people being forced to listen to the hearing remotely.
“It is disheartening to see Democrat leadership go after people’s livelihoods like this,” said Sen. Scott Renfroe, R-Greeley. “If these tax increases pass, businesses are going to have to lay people off and cut wages. That’s not the right path to economic recovery.”
The remaining tax hikes that were not debated in yesterday’s hearing will be considered tomorrow morning by the House Finance Committee. Then the full House will convene to debate all of the tax proposals, House Bills 1189 through 1199.