DENVER – Today, Colorado Senate Republicans brought three tax relief bills before the Senate State, Veterans, & Military Affairs Committee; Democrats killed two of the three bills, which would have provided much needed relief to Colorado taxpayers.
Killed on party lines, Senate Bill 23-106, sponsored by Senator Bob Gardner (R – Colorado Springs), would have indefinitely extended a tax credit allowing Colorado veterans to deduct certain federal retirement benefits from their income.
“I’m disappointed to see this bill killed in committee today,” Senator Gardner remarked. “This bill recognizes the sacrifices made by our veterans, and ensures that they receive the benefits they deserve well into the future. We weren’t able to get this bill through the committee today, but I will continue the effort to preserve this tax credit with House Bill 23-1084 later in this session.”
Also killed, Senate Bill 23-107, sponsored by Senator Larry Liston (R – Colorado Springs), would have extended a current property tax exemption to seniors and disabled veterans who have to change residencies due to medical necessity.
“Once again our colleagues across the aisle opted to play party politics instead of delivering something meaningful for our state’s most vulnerable,” Senator Liston said. “There was great value in this bill, which would have ensured seniors and disabled veterans wouldn’t be unfairly penalized because of their health challenges. Despite recent encouragement from Governor Polis, my Democrat colleagues’ actions have continued to demonstrate they have little intention of addressing the rising cost of property taxes in this state.”
Senate Bill 23-108, sponsored by Senator Mark Baisley (R), was spared by Democrats, and referred to the Finance Committee with unanimous approval. The bill will allow a local government to reduce property taxes by providing tax credits or reducing the mill levy and later eliminate the tax credits or restore the mill levy.
“I am glad to see this bill make it past its first hurdle,” Senator Baisley remarked. “This simple bill will allow local governments to provide relief to their communities by temporarily reducing mill levies. This bill represents a real opportunity to support Coloradans who are continuing to struggle amidst the affordability crisis my Democrat colleagues created.”
These three bills represent the Colorado Senate Republicans’ enduring effort to reduce the cost of living in the state of Colorado.
###