Supporters of Proposition 103 have raised $21,040 in the latest reporting cycle, according to disclosures filed with the Secretary of State Monday.
The main opposition group, just recently organized, raised $10,000.
The reports cover money raised and spent in the first two weeks of September.
If approved by voters Nov. 1, Proposition 103 would increase the state income tax rate to 5 percent and the state sales tax to 3 percent for five years. The legislature could spend the additional revenue only on preschool programs, K-12 education and state colleges and universities.
The main support group, Support Schools for a Bright Colorado, in total has raised $194,805 and spent $173,369. Most of that money was used for the petition campaign the group had to wage to get the proposal on the ballot.
Contributions of interest in the most recent reporting period include $15,000 from Stephen Schutz of La Jolla, Calif. He’s a founder of the Blue Mountain Arts greeting-card company and father of U.S. Rep. Jared Polis, D-2nd District. Other contributions include $1,000 from Impact on Education of Louisville, an education-oriented foundation that previously gave $1,300; $200 from former GOP legislator Don Marostica of Loveland and $1,000 from Josie Heath of Boulder. She’s the wife of Democratic state Sen. Rollie Heath, the prime backer of Proposition 103.
The opposition group Save Colorado Jobs received $10,000 from Victor Mitchell, the Republican former Douglas County legislator who runs the group. The committee reported spending $5,000 with Colorado Winning Edge, a campaign company run by longtime statehouse lobbyist Steve Durham.
Another opposition group, Too Taxing for Colorado, so far has raised $3,277, including $2,600 in the latest reporting period. Most of the money, $2,500, has come from Robert Blackwell, CEO of Independent Propane in Conifer.
PROPOSITION 103
Provisions
- State income tax rate would rise to 5 percent from 4.63 percent
- State sales tax rate would go to 3 percent from 2.9 percent
- New rates are same as those in effect in 1999
- Higher rates would end in 2017
Revenue use
- Proposition would raise an estimated $3 billion over five years
- Additional revenue could be spent only on preschool programs, K-12 schools and state colleges and universities
- Legislature would decide how to split revenues
- Spending would have to be in addition to levels of 2011-12
Resources