The Colorado House today rammed through the majority of the “Dirty Dozen” stealth tax increases - by way of eliminating existing tax credits or exemptions that will adversely affect Colorado businesses, as well as Colorado ranchers and farmers, along with current employees, job-seekers, and consumers - on a mostly party-line vote following several hours of debate Monday.

Clear The Bench Colorado Director Matt Arnold testified in opposition to these bills on constitutional grounds - since it is clear that each bill represents “a tax policy change…  resulting in a net revenue gain” and therefore, under the Colorado Constitution, requires prior approval by a vote of the people.

Several legislators offered amendments to these bills, both in committee hearings and on the floor in debate, to refer the tax increases for prior approval by a vote of the people (as required under the clear letter and intent of the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights)  or, failing that, to at least allow a referendum in opposition to the tax increases.  All were shot down, again on an overwhelmingly party-line vote.

It is increasingly clear that many legislators - supposedly elected as representatives of the people of Colorado - arrogantly deride and ignore the very citizens who are ultimately their employers, in favor of well-organized special interests constantly seeking to expand the power of government.  It is also increasingly clear that constitutional limits on government power are an essential check and balance to this constant hunger for ever more power and control over your life.  Finally, it is now abundantly clear that the supposed guardian of those constitutional limits on government power - the judicial branch, specifically the Colorado Supreme Court - has failed in its duty to uphold the Constitution and protect the citizens of Colorado from legislative abuses.

Refuse to be a victim of government abuse of power - you CAN exercise YOUR right to vote “NO” on the four ‘unjust justices’ of the Mullarkey Majority (Michael Bender, Alex Martinez, Nancy Rice, and Chief Justice Mary Mullarkey) who need YOUR approval to continue taking away your constitutional rights: your right to vote on tax increases, your right to defend your homes and business from seizure by rapacious governments, and your right to enjoy the benefits of the rule of law, instead of rule by an oligarchy of activist, agenda-driven “justices.”  Help to Support Clear The Bench Colorado with your comments (Sound Off!), your contributions, and your “NO” vote on retaining these unjust justices!

Tags: Alex Martinez, Bill Ritter, Colorado Car Tax, Colorado Constitution, Colorado Courts, Colorado Gun Tax, Colorado Judges, Colorado Legislature, Colorado Mill Levy, Colorado Supreme Court, Daniel Kagan, Dirty Dozen, eminent domain abuse, FASTER, House Finance Committee, Joel Judd, judical activism, judicial accountability, judicial evaluation, judicial retention, judicial usurpation, Mary Mullarkey, Michael Bender, Michael Roberts, Mill Levy Tax Colorado, Mill Levy Tax Freeze, Mullarkey Court, Mullarkey Majority, Nancy Rice, Ritter Auto Tax, Ritter Candy Tax, Ritter Gun Tax, stealth tax increase, TABOR, Telluride Land Grab, unjust justices