The League supports HB20-1332 Prohibit Housing Discrimination Source of Income because it provides equal opportunity for access to housing without discrimination and it helps to provide a decent home and a suitable living environment for every Colorado family. The bill aims to make housing discrimination based on a person’s source of income an unfair housing practice. The sponsors of this bill are Reps. Herod and Jackson and Sen. Fields.
 
“Source of income discrimination” refers to the practice of refusing to rent to a housing applicant because of that person’s lawful form of income. According to a 2018 survey of Colorado renters by the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless, 47% of respondents who had been rejected from housing indicated source of income discrimination as the reason. Often, the denial of housing disproportionately affects renters of color, women, and persons with disabilities. (READ MORE) 

 

The League is supporting HB20-1151 Expand Authority For Regional Transportation Improvements in recognition of the current inability of the state to fund balanced transportation systems with a variety of modes in an appropriate mix. Multiple and alternative sources of funding should be sought.

 

Colorado has faced a crisis in funding critical transportation infrastructure for many years. As of 2018 CDOT “has an estimated $9 billion in needs over the next decade, and no clear plan to fund it, thanks to years of plummeting highway revenue and legislative inaction.” [The Colorado Sun, Oct 18, 2018]

 

Gas tax revenue, the primary funding source for transportation, is trending toward zero because of inflation and because today’s vehicles have greater fuel economy, meaning less gas is being purchased each year. Funding beyond the gas tax has been sought from voters. In 2018, Proposition 109 would have issued bonds to be repaid over 20 years and earmarked for 66 highway projects; it was rejected. Proposition 110 requesting a sales tax increase dedicated to transportation also failed. In 2019 Proposition CC to retain the TABOR refund for transportation and education funding was rejected. (READ MORE)

Initiative 271, Policy Changes Pertaining to State Income Taxes: A Petition Drive for the 2020 Ballot

 

Initiative 271, Policy Changes Pertaining to State Income Taxes, is a response to the financial log jam created by TABOR, the tax and spend limitation section of the Colorado Constitution. Because Colorado’s tax code is in the state constitution, any change must go to voters in the form of a ballot measure.

 

Basically, Initiative 271 establishes a graduated income tax (not a flat tax, as we have now) that reduces taxes for many yet is structured to bring in more revenue for state services.

When the ERA passed Congress in 1972, lawmakers attached a 1977 ratification deadline to it, which they later extended to 1982. Legislation introduced by Congresswoman Jackie Speier will remove the deadline and the final obstacle to accepting the ERA as part of the U.S. Constitution. This legislation has been passed by the House. Now, the Senate must act so the states’ efforts are not in vain.  

 

This is our moment and the perfect way to celebrate the 100th anniversary of women citizens achieving the right to vote. It is time for Congress to remove the ERA deadline and make this amendment a reality!

 

Click here to read the text of the ERA.

Click here for a template for a Letter to the Editor.

Click here for a ready-to-go Facebook post, and click here for another.