Final
Fiscal Information
COMMITTEE ON
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
Votes:
Action Taken:
Moved to adopt the fiscal information as prepared
PASS
12:41 PM -- Consideration of Fiscal Information in the 2005 Ballot Information Booklet
Harry Zeid, Legislative Council Staff, reviewed the fiscal information for Referendum D to be included in the ballot analysis booklet. A memorandum that included and discussed the fiscal information was provided to the committee (Attachment C). In referencing the memorandum, Mr. Zeid reviewed the fiscal information requirements under the Taxpayer's Bill of Rights (TABOR), which apply to Referendum D in 2005. He also reviewed the data that was included in the memorandum and discussed the budgetary figures that are accounted for in regard to enterprises. He said that the information included the required figures pertaining to existing state bonded debt.
12:45 PM
Douglas Bruce, representing himself, came to the table to discuss the constitutional requirements and the staff memorandum reviewed by Mr. Zeid. Mr. Bruce discussed the language in Article V, Section 1 (7.5) of the state constitution and reviewed requirements for preparation of the fiscal information by the nonpartisan staff. He distributed a copy of the constitutional provisions (Attachment D). Mr. Bruce said that he feels that the Executive Committee does not have a role in reviewing the fiscal information in the ballot information booklet. He noted that the information in the memorandum had not been distributed throughout the process along with the ballot analysis. He said that he feels the fiscal information should be considered part of the analysis.
Mr. Bruce commented on the figures provided in Table 1 in the memorandum and advocated presenting the data, represented in Table B on page 2 of the memorandum, showing adjustments to the base.
12:51 PM
Natalie Mullis, Legislative Council Staff, responded to concerns Mr. Bruce had raised in regard to the figures in Table 1. She said that Table 1 reflects the required audited figures provided by the State Controller's Office. She discussed adjustments to the base in regard to enterprises. Mr. Zeid made further comments about the inclusions in the fiscal information statements.
12:54 PM
Representative Stengel asked additional questions regarding figures in the table and in the text of the analysis. Mike Mauer, Legislative Council Staff, responded to questions and discussed the inclusion of audited numbers in the table. There was discussion of the addition of enterprises since FY 2001-02. Mr. Zeid made further comments on the historical data and the requirements under the constitution.
1:00 PM
Mr. Mauer responded to further questions asked by Representative Stengel. Senator McElhany raised further questions about Table 1 and the additional information provided in the text. Representative Stengel said that he feared that the additional text might be confusing to the voters.
1:03 PM
Charley Pike, Director, Office of Legislative Legal Services, came to the table to respond to questions and said that the constitution provides for the specific information in the table. He noted that the Table 1 is also consistent with prior practice.
BILL:
Fiscal Information
TIME:
01:03:39 PM
MOVED:
Fitz-Gerald
MOTION:
Moved to adopt the fiscal information as prepared by staff for inclusion in the ballot information booklet. The motion passed on a 4-2 roll call vote.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Gordon
Yes
Madden
Yes
McElhany
No
Stengel
No
Romanoff
Yes
Fitz-Gerald
Yes
Final
YES:
4
NO:
2
EXC:
0
ABS:
0
FINAL ACTION:
PASS