Colorado voters appear to reject marijuana sales tax hike

DENVER (AP) – Colorado voters appear to be on the verge of rejecting an increase in the sales tax on marijuana to fund after-school programs, such as tutoring, tech training, mental health counseling and training programs. enrichment in the arts.

This question was one of many questions asked of state voters about voting initiatives this year that also include a measure that would limit the number of unrelated adults who can live together in Denver and one that would limit the power of governors spend funds from outside sources such as the federal government.

Here are some of the more interesting voting initiatives:

MARIJUANA SALES TAX INCREASE

The measure to increase the state’s retail marijuana sales tax rate from 15% to 20% over the next three years was losing, according to unofficial results provided by Secretary of State from Colorado on Wednesday.

The measure aimed to create a council appointed by the governor to administer the program, which aims to provide educational and enrichment opportunities with after-school programs and tutoring. It would prioritize eligible Colorado children between the ages of 5 and 17 whose families are at or below the poverty line.

Supporters of the initiative said it was timely and necessary due to the educational gaps exacerbated by the pandemic and even more so for students of color, those from low-income families and students with special needs.

The group “No on Prop 119” said it would withdraw already limited funds from public schools and create a private council without oversight or accountability with interests outside the state.

ROOM LIMIT

A Denver polling initiative that sought to repeal an increase in the number of unrelated adults who can live together largely lost the unofficial results of the city clerk on Tuesday night. This is an amendment, passed by city council, that increased the number of unrelated adults who can live together. The amendment changed the city’s zoning code to allow up to five unrelated adults to live together in one house rather than the current limit of two. The amendment also allowed residential care facilities such as halfway houses for drug addiction programs to operate in more parts of Denver.

Groups like the popular Safe and Sound Denver campaign have raised concerns that an increase in the number of roommates and nursing homes will negatively impact the quality of life in neighborhoods, leading to more congestion, overcrowded parking and more garbage. “Keep Denver from becoming like Seattle, Portland and San Francisco,” the campaign website says.

But those who opposed the repeal argued that the amendment removes affordable housing options and makes life more difficult in Denver, one of the most expensive booming cities with a steadily growing population in the world. over the past decade.

POWER OF GOVERNORS TO SPEND FEDERAL FUNDS

Although some ballots are still being counted, a constitutional amendment that would require state legislative approval to spend money received from outside sources, such as the federal government or legal agreements, appears to have been rejected. . Only about 44% of the votes counted so far were in favor of the measure. He needs at least 55% support as he would add an amendment to the state constitution.

A conservative group sponsored the initiative after Democratic Governor Jared Polis used his executive powers to distribute nearly $ 1.7 billion in federal COVID-19 relief funds in May 2020.

Michael Fields, executive director of Colorado Rising Action, an organization promoting conservative policies, spearheaded the measure, arguing that Polis’ allocation of federal pandemic funds was not transparent. In a Colorado Politics opinion piece, Fields calls for the elimination of “senior management slush funds.”

However, opponents have argued that limiting the appropriation of federal money puts more work on the part-time legislature and creates more bureaucracy, which could delay state spending during emergencies such as ‘a pandemic.

HOMELESS CAMPS

A Denver polling initiative that sought to allow residents to sue the city over a slow response to the cleanups of homeless settlements was losing unofficial results Tuesday night.

The measure said people could sue the city if authorities did not clear a camp within 72 hours of a complaint. However, a judge ruled on Sunday that the delay was illegal.

In view of the ruling, the city said the part of the measure that would have allowed residents to sue would not be enforced if passed, said Jacqlin Davis, a spokesperson for the city’s attorney’s office.

The remaining part of the ballot question would create up to four licensed city-funded campsites on public property with required running water, toilets and lighting. But local homeless advocates say four sanctioned sites are still not enough to address the scale of the problem.