Here is what some community members have to say about Colorado Springs Ballot Question 2A and El Paso County Issue 1A. If you would like to join our endorsements page, please click the ‘Endorse Us’ button below.
Endorsements:
“I am completely opposed to the Stormwater Fee; it really is a tax. Our Mayor, being an attorney loves to play with words. While he was Attorney General for the State of Colorado, the budget for his office increased by 54%.
Why do developers with raw land get a pass on any fees? This is unconscionable. Mayor Suthers is using the EPA and State of Colorado lawsuit to scare voters. This is the sixth increase in Suthers’ term; enough is enough. Due to the City’s mismanagement we need another tax? I think not!”
Tim Hoiles, Newspaperman/Philanthropist
“Those who have been bred in the school of politics fail now and always to face the facts.” Henry David Thoreau
“Is the purpose of Ballot Question 2A to fund the City’s stormwater program, or is it actually to provide an $18 million/year windfall for the Mayor and City Council to use however they wish to do so?” See the rest of Vince Rusinak’s endorsement here.
Vince Rusinak
“Responsible government needed! Thank you Laura for pointing out the facts about the upcoming ballot issues. We need responsible and informed leaders to give us the facts about issues that are both beneficial and detrimental to our community.”
“First I want to say I have the highest respect for the Mayor and all he has done for our City. His collaboration with City Council is a major factor why our economy has grown so significantly since he assumed office just over 2 short years ago. This same economic growth, however, is why, as the head of City Council’s Budget Committee, I cannot support his request for an additional $17M a year from your wallets.” See the rest of Councilman Knight’s endorsement here.
“The proposed stormwater fee is the largest transfer of responsibility and cost from the developers to the public in this city’s history. The city needs a stormwater fee, but this ballot issue fails on three critical points:
- It lacks specifics. Will this be outsourced or made into another utility? Where is the cost analysis? Will it be added to your utility bill? If so, why?
- Its’ unequitable. Developers made large profits but are not paying their fair share.
- It’s not complete. There is a teaser rate of $5 month that can increase without a vote of the taxpayers. We are awaiting finalization of EPA suit.”
See the rest of Councilman Murray’s endorsement here:
Bill Murray, City Council member at-large
“Knight, Murray and Pico make sense. I’ll be voting against 2A.”
“I was on the City Council budget committee for four years until April 2017 representing southeast Colorado Springs. The population of southeast Colorado Springs is mainly lower income and seniors who can’t afford continued tax and fee increases.
City spending is over $500 million yearly. Why do you think three of the four city budget Council members voted not to put the stormwater tax (2A) on the ballot? The fourth City Council member is running for Congress and will want financial backing from developers.
This tax is a developer subsidy. Developer land doesn’t pay, though their projects caused the problem. This means “YOU” pay more to support developer agenda.
Where are the “specifics” of this proposal? The proposal is vague and citizens should be aware
of “bait and switch” tactics. Expect further increases of the fee without taxpayer approval if this ballot measure passes. Don’t be conned by “big money” and progressive agenda.
VOTE “NO” on 2A!”
“As an everyday citizen who was part of the Restore Research project, I and a small group of private citizens were able to look closely into how our city government responded after receiving a large influx of money after 2C (“The Pothole Tax”) passed in 2015. Our city leaders immediately started spending money on a pet project that would benefit 0.7% of population that commute by bicycle. As someone who fell for the city’s story in 2015 and voted “yes” for the Pothole Tax, I can now share what I have learned- our city leaders are not good stewards of the money they have been given and don’t deserve another dime from us.”
Rebecca Marshall, Restore Research and Sensible Streets
“2A is a non-starter for all of the reasons expressed here. I would add one more: Our mayor has labeled himself a conservative, but to immediately ask to have taxes raised upon securing the mayoral position is hardly conservative–let alone 6 times in two years! Our local government must tighten the financial belt like the citizens of Colorado Springs have done.”
Tron Simpson, Host AM 740 KVOR, Tronshow.com
“I’m voting NO on 2A and encourage all of you who believe in responsible government to vote NO as well. It is time for our elected City leaders to stop business as usual and seek a new paradigm in spending our precious hard earned wages.”
“I support this effort because I know that my responsibility as a taxpayer is to keep the government accountable with their spending. The language on the ballot for measure 2A is poorly written and vague, and leaves the $5 “fee” open for increases at any time. This will hurt the poor and elderly the most. In 2 1/2 years the City of Colorado Springs and the Mayor have asked for more of taxpayers hard earned moneys 6 times; it’s time they look at their existing budget and make cuts just like I do at home.”
Cassandra Sebastian
“Only $5. That’s alot for people on fixed incomes or low income working people. I appreciate Laura looking out for our money.”
Diana Belles
“I’m opposing the stormwater fee because politicians refuse to prioritize the City budget. They keep asking for more money, in fact this is the 6th time they’ve asked. It’s time we tell them NO once and for all.”
Dr. Steve Marsh, 50-year Colorado Springs Resident
“The additional taxes from 2A and 1A sound fabulous to those who believe the city needs more of our hard earned money. I happen to think it doesn’t. Where have any belt-tightening budget measures been made… enough is enough? Five dollars is a great deal to some of us, who aren’t able to afford ‘that coffee’ in the first place.”
Ann Macomber
“We allowed them to raise the sales tax to repair the roads, but its never enough for our local Government. However these developers are always looking to reap the rewards at the expense of the citizens of Colorado Springs. Our Mayor might have been a good State Attorney General, but now he has turned into a crony capitalist, just like many in today’s Republican Party. That coupled with a progressive left leaning city council that is trying to turn Colorado Springs into another progressive disaster in the making.
With a city government that will not lay off the bicycle accommodations, and has basically turned Pikes Peak Avenue into a narrow thoroughfare, just so they can be like every other central business district in the country. Who knows what they will use these stormwater fees for once they get it reinstated?
Wake up CS, they are trying to con you out of your money again. We forced them to open the books somewhat, now its time to tighten up. They don’t deserve any more money until they can show us that they can make wise investments in our city. Vote No on 2A.”
Don McCullen, writer for the NOQ Report noqreport.com
“What is being overlooked on your behalf are the salary increases for city and county workers over the last decade, that is what is behind the tax increases. Like all cities the employees will get their cost of living increases regardless of a weak or dynamic economy. Colorado Springs like the majority of cities expanding due to development will protect the interests of the developers while the cities become consumed with crime, congestion and corruption. Keep up the fight against the norm!”
“As a COS mother of three, I live within my means by prioritizing and making responsible (and sometimes difficult) decisions. All I ask is that my elected public servants please do the same. NO on COS 2A.”