On his monthly visit to the Mike Rosen Show on 850KOA, Governor Hickenlooper made a major messaging faux pas on the billion dollar tax hike. In response to prodding by Rosen, the governor admitted the second tier of the tax hike represents a whopping 27% increase.
The proposed tax hike tentatively known as Initiative 22 has two tiers, with income under $75,000 going from a taxable rate of 4.63% to 5% and income over $75,000 going from a taxable rate of 4.63% to 5.9%.
Proponents will try to frame the issue as merely a 1.3% increase, which Hickenlooper did initially, but that’s not accurate. As Rosen pointed out, it’s a 1.3 percentage point increase, but the tax bill for income over $75,000 would go up by 27%.
When pressed on that point, Hick admitted Rosen was right. “It is” a 27% increase, the governor acknowledged.
Roll the tape:
Transcript:
Rosen: Their tax rate goes from 4.63% all the way up to 5.9%. That’s a 27.4% increase on income over $75,000.
Hickenlooper: It’s 1.27%, which is what I said.
Rosen: No, that’s 1.27 percentage points.
Hickenlooper: Yes, 1.2
Rosen: Yes, but taking it from 4.63 up to 5.9 is a 27% increase.
Hickenlooper: It is. Well, on those dollars you make over $75,000.
The tax hike was already going to be an uphill battle, but with high profile proponents conceding it’s a 27% tax increase, how in the Sam Hill do they expect to succeed?
UPDATE: It got worse in the interview. After Rosen put the tax increase into real terms for what it would cost Rockies first basemen Todd Helton, Hickenlooper admitted it would be a “steep increase.” That is generally not a term you see in messaging documents for tax hike proponents. Maybe Hick’s support won’t be worth it after all to tax hikers?
I was born here. I will stay and fight. I hope that like minded people like you all will do the same. Like Pueblo and Colorado Springs recall efforts shows, we can win. Let them leave, We were here first.
It's pronounced "Lickingpooper" ….. LOL
I find it interesting how so many Republicans have made fortunes off of Colorado's housing booms over the years and now are complaining about all the liberals that have moved here. Ironic.
What voter fraud?
I bet all of us who grew up in military families would disagree with that, Dan. I was born in a New England state and lived there until I was 6 months old and never again. I have lived in Colorado for 33 years. I am well aware of the issues in this state concerning agriculture, water, oil shale, federal land use, wildlife management, to name a few. Not that I want to run for office but I am as well qualified as anyone born here. By your rules, you would have to get rid of half the Republicans in Colorado Springs.
If you are making that much money, you can afford the taxes. Why do you people not want to contribute to the infrastructure of our state.
That is a lie. US citizens pay a very low tax rate compared to most 1st world citizens and yet all you people ever do is complain. I am proud to pay taxes and to do my fair share to help my country and my fellow citizens. I just wish the government would spend more on human services and less on weaponry.
My family has territorial roots in Colorado. We have been in the Cherry Creek Valley for 117 years. We have been encroached upon by city and regulated, taxed nearly to extinction. Our land has been purposefully devalued by our local municipalities in an effort to run us off. Those same municipalities have dried up our water resources and claimed them for the greater good……My father had a co worker that used to tell him what was wrong with out here all the time and we needed to change things to like where he came from. This guy was from the East coast. One day my dad had it and told him, "You know what's wrong with out here? People like you coming out here and telling us what's wrong with out here." That guy walked away totally pissed off. After about a year the guy came back to him and agreed with what dad had said to him because he got some time under his belt and some experience with Colorado……..The point is don't come out here and start telling us what's wrong with out here. If you move here respect what you have moved to. If things are this way it's for a good reason. Don't just come here and put your oar in the water and stir it around without experiencing a few seasons and getting to know your neighbors. What's worse for our politics we historically have politicians that are from somewhere else coming out here, setting up shop and using their outside the state funding and influence to get elected. With that they bring a national agenda here and attempt to implement those policies rather than representing the people that are their constituents……. We don't mind you coming here but don't come here and expect to make it like where you were from. And what's worse is don't come here and try to shut the gate behind you so no one else can build a house in the woods like you just got. Things do not work that way. If you have the right to have a house in the woods so should everyone else. If a farmer or rancher profits because they sold their land for building homes then good for him. But don't come here and try to take your neighbors opportunity through taxation and regulation just because you may want to stare at his ranch for the rest of your life without being responsible for helping him take care of it. You moved in next to him. Not the other way around. I'm just sayin'.
Never underestimate the very real & destructive power of voter fraud…. and the California exodus!
I was born here and am thinking about it leaving. Libs will ruin the state.
Everyone who moves from Colorado to escape the horror, send me a copy of your mover's invoice, and I'll kick in $5.
The Pera workers will also have to pay it. I expect their union to have mixed feelings, They will probably try to exempt Government workers having their checks reduced.
I almost said from paying the tax, but since they are paid taxes, they don't/can't pay tax, they just give Co a kick-back.,
You do not pay taxes!. Unless you also hold down a Non-Government Job, you can not pay taxes. You are given my taxes, and then to say that you are using my tax-money to pay taxes is just ignorant. You can not pay taxes with tax money. You are just a victim of a kick-back scheme.
He is a Dem. The lie, cheat and steal to get in office, but you can bet the farm that they will raise taxes and increase regulations and take away your rights. That is just what Dems do.
High capacity tax increases.
Guess they have to replace all the lost revenue from Magpul leaving. Doesn't seem like such a good idea now huh.
Not true… Most 30 year teachers that had MA-80 status easily exceed 75K in retirement income.
I find it funny that all these folks are saying moved here xxx years ago now it sucks going to move there now. This is exactly how Colorado got in this mess to begin with next time you vote look and if the candidate wasn't born and raised in Colorado don't vote for them. That idiot woman who introduced the gun measures was originally from Baltimore for Christs sakes. First we let people into the state then we elect them into positions of power. In my opinion if you weren't born here then you can't represent us in the State or Federal Government. I understand that most of you seem to be conservative but as a Colorado Native (Born and raised on the Western Slope) I don't even recognize my State anymore. I have seen working ranches that were family owned and run for over 100 years encroached and regulated to the point that they couldn't survive then they get sold into "mini ranches" and ultimately annexed and subdivided. Please your more than welcome to come visit my fine State but be a decent guest and go home.
Looking more and more like New York. Typical lib/dem trying to sell something by down playing the facts to get the support from the low information voters. This is not the Colorado I know and love.
Recall Hick.
The 27% increase applies to incomes over $75K, most PERA retirees receive a benefit below this level. Work on that reading comprehension.
Its like gun control welcome to Communist Colorado!!!!
Left three years ago. Can still hear the flushing sound coming from what used to Colorado.
I guess it's just not possible to trust this governor. I have the utmost respect for the office, and absolutely no respect for this man who holds it. Now we find out he's transporting his son, his political support and his son to ball games in the state plane. When confronted with it what does Hickenloser do? Quietly writes a check, hopes all is well and then orders the FAA to not release any more state aircraft information to the public. Hmm, if the 'people' steal money we don't get to reimburse it when we get caught and poof…. everything is ok with no repercussions! Right? I don't even want to know what really happened with the 'accidental' release of the political buddy's son who promptly went out and assassinated the DOC director.
Most PERA people pay their taxes like everyone else… Most of us have gotten up every day and gone,to work just like you do or have. If you have an issue with PERA, maybe because you aren't a recipient, then apply for a job teaching or working for the State. Please don't compare me, as a PERA person, with Obama… I live in Colorado, pay my taxes, and despise liberals…FYI
done bought a place in south daklota. lifelong resident, but I must say, screw you colorado and your dumb ass liberals.
Tom and I have considered leaving Colorado as well. The only thing keeping us here is the family.
I agree with Tracy Beyer Hertwig. We moved here 17 years ago. After completing our tax returns this year, I pointed out to my wife that if we lived in WY, we would've had an additional $10,000 to spend or invest. After the Dems' out-of-control legislative session (and BoCo's out-of-control county commission), we more thoroughly researched moving to Texas. Such a move would save us ~$25,000 a year due to lower taxes and lower housing costs (after swapping a half-acre in CO for multiple acres — 20 or more is the goal — in TX). Why stay? The Dems' election stealing legislation may make them completely unaccountable.
One thing about this is that the PERA people will be paying the 27% to on their income to, unless they sneak something into the bill so they don't have to pay like Obama does with Obama care.
Damn Ignorant Liberals All they can ever do is raise taxes…they never solve problems.
When will people finally wake up to the fact that Chickenpooper is nothing other than Bloomberg & Obama light?
Liberal politics at their best, never seen a tax they didn't like. To many California libs have moved in and are ruining Colorado like they did their home state. Just vote no.
Keep in mind that if you don't vote this increase will go through because all those that think the government deserves your money will be voting for it and those of us that believe it's our money are not being heard because of non-activity.
Yes, we do. It will be on the ballot.
Liberals are ruining Colorado! Been here 20 years and looking at leaving. I have had enough!
Don't we get to vote on any tax increases in Colorado?