Pueblo voter guide: What to know about state initiatives Proposition HH and Proposition II

With Election Day weeks away, ballots began being mailed to registered voters throughout Colorado on Oct. 16.

Pueblo County residents have the opportunity to vote for or against two state ballot measures—Proposition HH and Proposition II. This guide is meant to help summarize the two measures on Pueblo ballots and share arguments in favor of and against both measures.

The Chieftain will not endorse any ballot measures or candidates this year. Arguments for and against each measure are from interviews with proponents and opponents of the measures, along with ballot measure websites and the non-partisan 2023 State Ballot Information Booklet.

What is Proposition HH?

Proposition HH has two primary impacts on Colorado taxpayers, according to the State Ballot Information Booklet. It will reduce property taxes, while also changing the amount taxpayers receive through Taxpayer Bill of Rights (TABOR) refunds.

If Proposition HH passes, Coloradans with incomes less than $99,000 will receive an increased TABOR refund in tax year 2023 compared previous years. Those with incomes greater than $99,000 will see a decrease in their 2023 TABOR refunds.

For at least the following ten years, TABOR refunds will decrease or be eliminated across income levels. However, property taxes will be reduced for primary residencies and nonresidential properties during that same period of time.

Qualifying renters may receive additional funding assistance, while not directly benefitting from property tax decreases.

Why vote 'yes' on Prop HH?

Proposition HH would ensure property tax relief for all Coloradans, especially those with middle or lower incomes, said state Sen. Nick Hinrichsen of Pueblo, one of many Colorado Democrats to support HH.

"It depends on what your local tax assessment is, but generally around $300,000 and $350,000 (homes)... if you're lower than that threshold, you're going to be getting the brunt of the savings from this," Hinrichsen told the Chieftain.

Hinrichsen also said that additional revenue collected through would-be TABOR refunds will help better fund public school districts' ability to recruit teachers, retain teachers, support school facilities and special education programs.

The Colorado Association of School Executives, Colorado Association of School Boards and the Colorado Education Association all have endorsed Proposition HH, according to yesonhh.org. The Pueblo School District 60 board passed a resolution in support of the measure on Oct. 12.

Why vote 'no' on Prop HH?

The TABOR Coalition — which includes the Colorado Union of Taxpayers, the Libertarian Party of Colorado and the National Federation of Independent Business among other organizations — has banded together in opposition to Proposition HH, according to rejecthh.com.

The Pueblo County Republican Party also is against the ballot measure, according to its website. Jonathan Ambler, the 2022 Republican candidate for House District 46, told the Chieftain that Proposition HH could be economically "disastrous" for the state.

"With this bill, government grows faster than business, it grows faster than wages, it grows faster than anything in the economy," Ambler said. "If you want to fight inflation, you don't want the government to grow faster than everything else."

Ambler also raised concerns about Proposition HH's decade-long "sunset option," the speed at which it passed through the legislature and it's complexity.

What is Proposition II?

Three years ago, Coloradoans approved Proposition EE — a measure increasing cigarette and tobacco product taxes, creating a tax for other nicotine products and establishing a cigarette price of $7 per pack.

If Proposition II passes this year, state government will retain over $23.6 million in excess tax revenue collected from Proposition EE. Excess revenue will be used to fund preschool programs.

If Proposition II does not pass, the $23.6 million will be refunded to wholesalers and distributors of the aforementioned products. Tax rates on these products also will be reduced, according to the State Ballot Information Booklet.

Why vote 'yes' on Proposition II?

In addition to their resolution in support of Proposition HH, the Pueblo D60 board also approved a resolution voicing support for Proposition II on Oct. 12.

"The bottom line on this one seems pretty clear to me — either keep the $26 million and use it to support pre-kindergarten, where we know makes a huge positive effect, or... refund it to the tobacco companies."

Board President Tommy Farrell added that refunds would not even benefit the average taxpayer, only wholesalers and distributors.

In addition to praising the educational benefits of preschool programs, proponents of Proposition II also argue that access to preschool helps working parents and that taxes on smoking products discourage unhealthy behaviors, according to the State Ballot Information Booklet.

Why vote 'no' on Proposition II?

The State Ballot Information Booklet also provides potential arguments against Proposition II. Such arguments include the notion that the proposition expands state government "unnecessarily."

"When the state collects more revenue than voters approved, it should provide taxpayer refunds and lower tax rates, rather than expand government programs," according to the booklet.

Another argument outlined in the booklet is that taxes on smoking products may be an added financial burden on lower income Coloradans suffering from addiction.

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Pueblo Chieftain reporter James Bartolo can be reached at JBartolo@gannett.com. Support local news, subscribe to The Pueblo Chieftain at subscribe.chieftain.com.

This article originally appeared on The Pueblo Chieftain: Pueblo leaders discuss 2023 state ballot initiatives