At this point, everyone should have their ballot. Our ballot this year has a number of very important races and issues so please make sure you do your homework and get your ballot in by 7pm on November 3. Common Sense Institute has one of the best reviews of several of the ballot measures I have found - click here to find their analysis.
Of special note, earlier this month, I joined with Senator Rhonda Fields to write an op-ed on why we are supporting Amendment B, the repeal of the Gallagher Amendment. You can read the op-ed by clicking here. Despite some misinformation to the contrary, repealing Gallagher is not a tax increase. It simply freezes property tax assessment rates at the current levels - due to TABOR, it would require a citizen vote to increase assessment rates. When Gallagher was implemented in 1982, residential and commercial property were more equal in terms of total assessed value, so there was some logic. However, significant residential growth has skewed the formula so much that commercial property has an assessment rate 4x that of residential property - right now, residential property accounts for 80% of total assessed value but is only responsible for 45% of the property tax bill (Gallagher mandates a 45%/55% split for property tax burden between residential and commercial property). This has caused significant, and growing, issues for small businesses as they pay some of the highest property tax bills in the entire US, to the point where some have closed up shop. Further, it is continuing to cause funding issues for K-12 education, fire departments and more. Even if we repeal Gallagher, Colorado will continue to enjoy some of the lowest residential property tax bills in the US.
As I stated above, regardless of how you vote, it's important for you to exercise that right.
As of this newsletter, Tri-County Health Department has announced new public health orders in response to COVID-19 for both Arapahoe & Adams counties.
The following are now in effect and will expire on November 1 at 11:59pm unless extended:
Arapahoe County:
1. All Alcohol sales within the county will end at 11 p.m. instead of midnight.
2. Personal gatherings (such as groupings of families, friends and neighbors) are restricted to 10 people or fewer, instead of the 25-person limit.
3. Nonessential, office-based businesses are encouraged to increase telecommuting within office-based environments.
Adams County:
1. Spectators are prohibited at Colorado High School Sports Association (CHSSA) sanctioned sporting events.
2. Spectators are prohibited from adult recreational and league sports.
3. Organized recreational and league youth sports are limited to 25 people per field, including spectators. Coaches and referees are excluded from the 25 person capacity limit.
4. Personal indoor gatherings are limited to no more than 5 individuals. Outdoor personal gatherings are limited to no more than 10 individuals. Life rite ceremonies are excluded. Nothing in this order prohibits the gathering of members living in the same household.
5. All alcohol beverage sales must cease at 10 p.m.
For full details, click here.
Despite the ongoing challenges related to COVID-19, City Council has continued with a full agenda of business. Here are a few items of note from our last few meetings:
September 21, 2020 Council Meeting & Study Session
1. At Study Session, the proposed minimum wage increase was on the agenda. Fortunately, this item was defeated with only 3 yes votes. If you missed it, I wrote an op-ed on the topic you can read here. Despite it's defeat, I would expect this measure to be back in the future. It's bad for the City of Aurora budget and even worse for small businesses in Aurora.
2. The introduction of my ordinance on bringing transparency and accountability to taxpayer funded lobbying for the police and fire departments passed on a vote of 7-3. I am glad the majority of my colleagues recognized the importance of transparency to our residents - Council votes to fund other forms of taxpayer funded lobbying in Aurora and I feel like we should in this area as well.
October 5, 2020 Council Meeting & Study Session
1. At Study Session, I introduced my item requiring Council approval for procurements under the 1033 and other federal programs for police equipment. The federal government already requires it - this measure just matches the same provision here in case the feds make a change in the future to their requirements. I think it's appropriate to have council, as policymakers in the city, weigh in on this topic. The item moved forward on a vote of 7-3.
2. We had initial introduction of updates to the animal code in Aurora, including the introduction of the dangerous dog ordinance. I am in support of what is proposed - there has been years of work & review that has gone into this re-write and I think it is a very comprehensive proposal. Ultimately, a robust dangerous dog ordinance, that deals with all potentially dangerous dogs, could replace the restricted breed ordinance.
3. After our fall budget workshop, the various budget related ordinances came forward. Of special note, at the fall budget workshop I proposed using some found dollars to restore 50% of the proposed cuts to the Medical Service Unit (MSU) program under the Fire Department. There was unanimous support by my colleagues and I was thrilled we were able to avoid some of that proposed cut. We also moved forward with a pilot program for some mental health related 911 calls, sponsored by Councilmember Allison Hiltz. I was happy to support this item as I think it will lead to better service to our residents and I look forward to seeing the results of the pilot.
October 12, 2020 Special Study Session
Council held a limited agenda special study session to discuss 2 items:
1. Earlier in the year, Councilmember Angela Lawson spearheaded an effort to increase the marijuana sales tax in Aurora by 1%. While I didn't support that effort, I commend her for being creative in finding to ways to fund youth violence prevention programs in Aurora. At this meeting, Council committed to using that new revenue to fund some youth violence programs, which are very much needed in our community.
2. There were two campaign finance proposals presented and discussed by Council. While I am in favor of increased transparency, there are problems with both proposals that I am hoping can be worked out. Ultimately, my preference would be for Council to put aside partisan bickering and come up with an ordinance that can accomplish all our goals but there doesn't appear to be much appetite for compromise with this council on any topic.
Our next Study Session and Council Meeting is scheduled for October 19. We are still in a virtual format for council meetings so please tune in at www.auroratv.org to watch.
