State Rep. Joe Rice took the time to contact me back in response to my email to him last week. I’m bolding the best parts, namely where he explains that because his biggest priority is job growth, he cannot support measures that would negatively impact jobs – even if would help the Colorado budget crisis. Go Joe!
Dear Anne-Marie,
Thank you for taking the time to contact me regarding House Bill 10-1193, which would eliminate sales tax exemptions for out-of-state retailers including some internet retailers. I was one of only four Democrats who voted against this bill when it came before the full House for a vote on Monday.
The situation in which we find ourselves is a difficult dilemma. Due to the recent economic downturn, Colorado now faces an annual budget crisis that forces the legislature to make major spending cuts. However, our budget is now down to its bare bones. Between fiscal year 2008-09 and fiscal year 2009-10, the legislature cut general fund spending by about $245 million, according to Joint Budget Committee estimates. Ninety percent of the state general fund now goes to education, health and human services, and public safety, all of which have already sustained massive losses. At some point, further budget cuts become hazardous and counter-productive to the people of Colorado.
At the same time, I firmly believe that the driving engine of economic recovery is job growth. HB 10-1193 would remove sales tax exemptions for certain online retailers, and, in doing so, runs the risk of forces businesses out of the state and cutting jobs that we need in order to recover. Because job growth is my first priority, I cannot support measures that would negatively impact jobs, even to alleviate the budget crisis.
This debate has been a highly partisan one, and I am trying to make decisions that protect Colorado businesses while still funding the state. Unfortunately, my “no” vote was not enough to keep HB 10-1193 from passing the House on a 33-32 vote. If this bill passes in the Senate, it will come back to the House for a final vote, so there are still opportunities to protect jobs in the online retail industry. I will do my best to ensure that jobs are not lost in industries like yours, especially during times like these.
I would be happy to discuss these or other issues with you in greater depth. Please feel free to attend any of my three monthly town hall meetings or contact me to set up another time to discuss these matters. Once again, thank you for taking the time to write, and please don’t hesitate to contact me with any other questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
Joe
Joe Rice, State Representative
Colorado State House District 38
[email protected]
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Finally The Denver Post has been doing a little bit of reporting on HB-1193, but today’s column by Vincent Carroll explained it better than any other piece I’ve read so far: Amazon buyers, beware: State has it in for you.
Don’t forget to read the comments. Most are snippy BS, but the one by Jen G. also explains the situation well. (Disclosure: Jen is a friend of mine.)