Date: 07/29/2009

Final
Norma Anderson

INTERIM COMMISSION TO STUDY FISCAL STABILITY

Votes: View--> Action Taken:
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09:25 AM -- Presentation by Norma Anderson on Tax Policy Past and Present

Norma Anderson, former state senator, discussed the history of taxation and school finance in Colorado and provided a number of recommendations based on her experiences in the legislature. Regarding school finance, she noted the changes over time in revenue sources for funding. She also reviewed the history of the tax rate on income tax. Regarding sales tax, she discussed the history of the tax rate and tax exemptions. She suggested that sales tax revenue from the sale of vehicles and parts go toward transportation funding and suggested a rise in the sales tax rate by a tenth of a percent.

Ms. Anderson also discussed the distribution of lottery funds and her unsuccessful experience proposing a change in the lottery distribution as a legislator. She called the Gallagher Amendment a disaster and discussed her attempts to reform the amendment. She also recommended that the homestead exemption be reformed by changing the requirements for residency in Colorado and that a cap be placed on the value of the homes that qualify for the exemption.

Ms. Anderson also recommended the elimination of income and sales tax exemptions because they are not equitable, conducting a comprehensive study of mill levies and property tax reform, introducing another ballot initiative similar to Referendum O from 2008 that addresses the initiative process, and referencing tax studies of the past when proposing future tax reform.


09: 40 AM

Responding to commission member Renny Fagan's question on voter support and public trust in the government regarding changes in tax policy, Ms. Anderson encouraged public education on the issues, transparency, and conducting public meetings across the state. Responding to commission member Sean Conway's question on health care, she recommended that the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing ensure better accountability to reduce costs. She suggested looking at other states' health care programs for guidance, specifically referring to programs in Oregon and Washington.