My list of requirements for Governor

We’re hearing lots of speculation now about who might be the Republican candidates for Colorado Governor. It’s really a moot point, because the Democrats passed legislation that would ensure their candidates win. And Hickenlooper signed New York mayor Michael Bloomberg’s citizen (gun) control bills, ensuring that Hick will have more than adequate funding for his campaign, and his fellow democrats in the legislature.

 Nevertheless, there are a few things I’d like to hear from candidates for Colorado governor (I can dream, can’t I?) I'd like a candidate to tell us that he or she will do or attempt the following:

1.     Make it clear that you will use your veto on legislation that expands government, restricts citizen’s freedoms, or further infringes property rights (increases taxes).

2.     Tell the legislature that you will absolutely veto any bill that passes before these bills pass:

a.     Repeal the citizen (gun) control laws that were passed in 2013.

b.     Repeal the GOP sponsored bills from 2012 and 2013 that enable tax discrimination (because Republicans do stupid stuff, too).

c.      Repeal the voter fraud legislation passed in 2013.

d.     Repeal the legislature enacted Renewable Portfolio Standards and return to the standards enacted by citizens.

3.     Require the PUC to set reasonable standards for electric utility emissions, and then require utilities to operate under the least cost that meets those standards.

4.     Push the legislature to end all new tax increment financing (often called economic development, it is a process whereby our tax dollars are given to government favored businesses and industries) at any level of government throughout the state.

5.     Announce to businesses worldwide that the only government-funded incentive to locate in Colorado is that we will never ask taxpayers (or businesses) to fund your competition (see tax increment financing, above.)

6.     Veto any legislation that extends regulatory agencies without first providing a cost-benefit analysis with dynamic scoring. Regulatory agencies sunset periodically and only survive because lawmakers pass legislation to keep them going, usually without determining actual benefits, and without considering what would happen without the agency.

7.     End this silly debate about sales taxes for internet purchases. Internet purchases are already taxable through the consumer use tax – it’s the same tax base and rate.  Every citizen is currently required to report every purchase on which they did not pay sales tax, on their state income tax return. Not just internet sales, it’s on purchases of used goods, too (think garage sales). There is a huge pile of revenue already owed and just waiting to be paid.  All that’s needed is enforcement of the reporting. For a measly $10,000,000 per year, the state could hire an additional 1000 revenue agents to audit Colorado citizens for consumer use taxes. It wouldn’t require a vote of the people, just a budgetary adjustment. The revenue generated would far exceed the cost to collect it. And the uproar from citizens who have escaped this tax for years would be deafening.

The best way to reform our tax system and reduce excessive state spending is to wake citizens up and make more of them participate in the funding of government. Legislators on either side of the aisle are not going to ease the burden on taxpayers until there is a cry from a large majority of constituents to do so.

8.     In the event that state revenue recovers and exceeds TABOR limits, veto any bill that proposes retention of the excess revenue, or does not refund it to taxpayers in proportion to the amount they paid.  (For those who complain that TABOR limits government revenues, remember that TABOR limits have not been reached for years – it is taxpayer’s ability and willingness to pay that limits revenues.)

9.     Urge the legislature to move elections for the Colorado legislature to April 15, tax day. The additional cost for another election will likely be recaptured when people start voting in a way that will reduce the check they write on the same day.

10. Veto any additional funding for Fastracks. If the system can’t survive on the taxes we are already paying plus passenger fees, it can be relocated. Put it somewhere near United Airlines’ automated baggage handling system at DIA.

11. Ask the legislature to pass a resolution urging the federal government to pass the Red Card Solution (RedCardSolution.com) to start fixing our broken immigration system.

Well, that’s a rough start, off the top of my head. And as I said, it’s probably moo.  I can’t imagine who might have a chance to defeat the election laws and Bloomberg’s money.