BALLOT ISSUES 2013 League of Women Voters of Colorado Education Fund

Definitions Referendum A proposal by the state legislature which is referred to citizens for a vote

Initiative A proposal by citizens who have gathered the required number of signatures

Definitions Amendment to Constitution A proposal by 2/3 of the state legislature or by citizen initiative which will go into the Colorado Constitution. Only voters can change the amendment, not the legislature. Proposition to change Revised Statutes A proposal by a majority of the legislature or by citizen initiative which will change the law. The legislature can change it.

Proposition AA Taxes on marijuana and marijuana products Initiated Amendment to Colorado Revised Statutes Imposes a sales tax of 10% on all purchases of retail marijuana and retail marijuana products effective 1/1/2014

Proposition AA Taxes on marijuana and marijuana products Allows the General Assembly to decrease or increase the sales tax up to 15% Cities and towns where the sales tax was collected will receive 15% of the gross Allows cities and towns to impose their own sales tax on marijuana and marijuana products

Proposition AA Taxes on marijuana and marijuana products Imposes an excise tax of 15% on the average wholesale price of cultivated marijuana Allows the General Assembly to decrease or increase the excise tax rate with maximum of 15%

Proposition AA Taxes on marijuana and marijuana property The first $40 million from the excise tax will be transferred to the Public School Capital Construction Fund Eliminates need for a vote of the people on any future tax change relating to marijuana

Proposition AA Taxes on Marijuana and marijuana products Exempts medical marijuana from the sales tax and the excise tax Only counties that allow the sale of marijuana will receive benefits from the proposed sales tax

Proposition AA Taxes on marijuana and marijuana products Cities and counties have the right to regulate and license marijuana businesses. Local rules are in addition to state regulations If this proposition does not pass, the state will be required to take necessary funds for enforcement of marijuana regulations from the general fund

Amendment 66 Funding for Public Schools Initiated Amendment to Constitution Changes to Revised Statutes Repeals the requirement that per pupil funding P-12 grow by at least the rate of inflation

Amendment 66 Funding for Public Schools Requires a minimum of 43% of state sales tax, excise tax and income tax now at 4.63% rate to be used for public education Changes Colorado Revised Statutes by increasing: income up to $75,000 taxed at 5% income over $75,000 taxed at 5.9%

Amendment 66 Funding for Public Schools This measure would not increase corporate, sales or property taxes This measure would increase income taxes by about $950 million a year

Amendment 66 Funding for Public Schools This measure is the funding mechanism for Education Reform Bill passed last year. If it fails, the changes will not take effect Currently per pupil funding is adjusted for factors in the school district: number of students, number of lower-income students and cost of living in the community. Since 2000, the average share of state tax revenue spent on P-12 education was 46%. Last fiscal year the amount was 40%.

EVERY VOTE COUNTS! EARLY VOTING OCTOBER 21 - NOVEMBER 4 MAIL YOUR BALLOT OR DELIVER IT BY TUESDAY NOVEMBER 5th AT 7:00 PM