Colo. Voters Could Strangle Fire Service

[webteam]

Are you from Colorado? Been faced with a similiar legislative situation? Post your messages and discussion here.
http://www.firehouse.com/news/2000/10/3_colo.html

Colo. Voters Could Strangle Fire Service

HEATHER CASEY
Firehouse.Com News

Colorado voters may decide to drastically cut taxes for such services as firefighting and EMS when they vote in November. Concerned citizens are campaigning desperately against Amendment 21, also known as “TaxCut 2000.”

[fire801]

The brunt of the tax cut proposal does two things....removes the tax burden from the resitendial property owners and asks the state to make up the difference as well as substantial increases for the commercial property owners. As the commercial property owners are assessed a higher rate to overcome the shortfall...then their fee/billing structures will skyrocket. The $25.00 reduction is a per adult....Joint tax filing results in a $50.00 "saving". Being primarily residential, with an average tax bill of approx. $65.00.
Our FPD is a rural setting with approx. 440 Sq miles and a BEDROOM population of approx 15000. We estimate loss of residential tax Dollars of 83-87% in the first year, and an additional 8-10% during the second year.
With a proposed $305,000 budget, we may pay our insurance but won't have enough to cover apparatus payments or even fuel.
The next "boom" will be that of bankruptcy filings and attorneys.
The flip side is we will be forced to bill for service...those utilizing the service will pay for it....in spades. Either thru inflated service fees or insurance premiums. Imagine a $2,000 fee for a trash-can fire or smoke report!! Imagine a $5,000 insurance bill to be paid or your mortgage company pulls your loan!!
Be safe!

[Captain Gonzo]

This is what happens when voters think with their wallets instead of their brains!

If you are from Colorado...defeat Doug Bruce and Amendment 21!

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Firefighters: Today's heroes protecting our tomorrows....
Captain Gonzo

[natemarshall]

We need help in defeating this bill. Thanks to another law passed that was written by Mr Bruce, no public agency in Colorado can use any taxpayer provided funds to fight an amendment.

If you can please contact the no21 committee and donate 5 10 or even 20 dollars or more to help buy media ads in late october so we can get the message out.

Your state could be next!

[bgiardi]

I am a Vol. Firefighter here in Colorado, Our fire department would be closed down within 2 years if Amendment #21 passes. Their are so many other Vol Fire Departments with-in Colorado that are much smaller then us and they wont last as long and would be forced to close down due to lack of tax money. I don't know about you but saving that little of money on my taxes doesn't replace your love one or your house. I would hope that other Colorado voters feel the same way that I do. The only good thing that could happen is that Amendment #21 fails and that Douglas Bruce understands that by writing this Amendment many kill a few voters just to save a few dollers... That one hell of a thing to put on your resume Mr. Douglas Bruce!!! A sure eye catcher!!!

[Jim M.]

Haven't had my first cup of coffee yet, so I apologize in advance for the tone of this. But, what the *** are you talking about?

Please explain how you are currently funded, what changes this "bill from h*ll" would make and maybe why they are being proposed. I checked your various web addresses and it appears that this is a simple shift from a residential based tax to a commerical based tax. Where is the loss?

Probably missing the whole point but your postings ask for help and don't explain in english what's really going on.