Senate Democrats voted today to let local governments raise taxes to set up special health-care districts.

House Bill 1219, by Sen. Betty Boyd, D-Lakewood, would let local governments go above the state’s current 6.91 percent limit on sales taxes so the special districts can be established if voters authorize a tax increase via the Taxpayer's Bill of Rights (TABOR).

“I see this bill allowing local governments to blow the sales-tax cap,” said Senate Minority Leader Andy McElhany, R-Colorado Springs. “It’s yet another tax increase by the Democrat majority.” 

HB 1219 passed in the Senate 23-11. The bill is headed to Gov. Bill Ritter for

consideration.

Sen. Greg Brophy, R-Wray, said the bill doesn’t seem right for Colorado.

“This bill is another of many Democrat steps toward ‘Hillary Care,’” said Brophy, one of the GOP senators voting against HB 1219.

In the Senate Finance Committee April 3, Boyd suggested that her bill would help to ensure that districts provide for the needs of clinics, ambulances, hospitals and other health-related services. She said HB 1219 changes current restrictions to include municipalities along with rural districts.

“Communities can choose to tax themselves for these services,” said Boyd, who noted that elections to create health districts would take place in general elections of odd-numbered years.

Brophy added that HB 1219 is another Democrat attempt to go after taxpayer dollars.