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Irvine: Millie Hamner should listen to voters who rejected Amendment 66 initiative

Rep. Millie Hamner’s recent opinion piece on Amendment 66 focused entirely on education funding and programs.

“I appreciate the message sent by my constituents in House District 61….who voted against the measure”, Hamner notes. Under the rules of Senate Bill 213, Amendment 66 can be on the ballot until 2017 (the next 4 elections). If that happens, I hope we will be “appreciated” four more times.

Something important is left out of Hamner’s commentary. Voters are concerned with Amendment 66 at so many more levels than education funding (and not knowing how the money would be spent).



Amendment 66 would permanently add nearly $1 billion additional taxes each year in perpetuity. It allows all tax revenues attributable to the measure to be collected and spent without future voter approval.

Shortly before this past election, Hamner sent out an email with reasons to vote for Amendment 66. Her last item was that Amendment 66 would “Keep Colorado’s taxes among the lowest in the nation.” Logically this isn’t possible. Raising an additional $1 billion in taxes every year would put Colorado among the top 5 states with highest taxes.



Coloradans are concerned with the economy…making ends meet and making their income stretch further. Additionally, individuals and businesses are being affected by Obamacare with higher premiums, deductibles and expenses. If Colorado becomes one of the highest taxed States in the Nation, we will not be attractive to new businesses. Existing businesses and families will also continue to struggle needlessly.

I share Hamner’s passion for education. I also believe representation must go beyond personal passions and be empathetic to the entire needs of constituents.

Debra Irvine

Breckenridge


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