Yesterday, the special interest groups backing Initiative 22 (the billion dollar tax hike) sent out a self-congratulatory press release about the funding that they had scraped together for a marketing campaign to burden Colorado’s hard-working families with a union bail out. Here is who is backing the scheme – definitely thank them for their support. (That’s sarcasm, folks.)
$250,000 – Pat Stryker, Needs No Moniker for Her Blatant Influence Peddling
$250,000 – David Merage, Merage Financial (have you tried Hot Pockets? They invented the product and sold it to Nestle for a bundle. Guess now that they have theirs, no need to worry about other entrepreneurs trying to achieve their American Dream.)
$250,000 – Colorado Education Association (read: Teachers Union)
$150,000 – Gary Community Investment Company (funders of the Piton Foundation, you know, where that illegal donor who complained about Gessler worked? Clearly a nonpartisan outfit.)
$50,000 – Stand for Children, which has been a great partner to the teachers unions in Oregon. Here is what the Oregon Education Association had to say about the left-wing Stand for Children in 2009 in Colorado Ed News:
“They’ve partnered with us and other education advocates to increase mentoring for new teachers and for school funding generally. They’ve also helped us fight merit pay for teachers at the ballot, which voters just rejected for the second time.”
Currently, Stand and OEA are among the advocates for a ‘tax fairness package’ that will soon go before voters to increase funding for K-12 schools, she said.”
$20,000 – Dan Ritchie
$10,000 – McWhinney Holdings
$10,000 – Brad Busse, RBC Capital
$10,000 – Colorado Hospital Association
$5,000 – Don Elliman (You may remember him as Governor Ritter’s economic development guy)
$5,000 – Barbara Grogan, Western Industrial Contractors
How do I get a Yard sign that says Vote No on 22 303-406-3535 Thanks
I'am Voting a Big NO on 22 🙂
$10,000 from McWhinney Holdings. Well Isn't that interesting. They have their own special little tax district that takes millions OUT of school district coffers, but they contribute $10,000 to a tax hike bill. That's irony for you.
I just wonder what all those donors will receive for their graciously donated funds. I'm sick to death of Liberals and their love for everyone's money. Liberals want to say Republicans and Corporations are evil…well look in the mirror. You're far worse.
This is just further feathering of Union pockets. Nothing more. It is NOT about quality education, it is NOT about children.
Those making over $75,000 will end up paying 27% according to Hickenlooper's conversation with Mike Rosen. Of course, that is not going to be part of the conversation. Pass on the word to all people to vote this down. I was approched three times, two times by CEA exectives, to sign the petition. I just said "NO THANK-YOU! Why would I put my name on petition to raise my taxes. There are too many loop holes and unfortuately the money is not going to fix the broken system. I have heard about two districts (one being Falcon 49) who do need additional funding since they are self-sufficient. Let's look at what they are doing right.
Just remember that this really isn't about your childs education when it comes time to vote on initiative 22. They will tell you it's for the children but it's for the teachers whom too many make more than they are worth. Are there good teachers – yes and probably underpaid but don't vote for a tax unless it specifically tells you where it is going and this hides that.