HomeMy WebLinkAbout1127 - SUPPORTING the Colorado's 2013 Ballot Measure Designated as Amendment 66, Funding for Public SchoolsBoulder City Council
RESOLUTION NO. 1127
A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE COLORADO'S 201.3 BALLOT MEASURE
DESIGNATED AS AMENDMENT 66, FUNDING FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS
FINDINGS
The City of Boulder City Council finds as,follows:
1. _ The .State of Colorado has ,faced_multiple years of budget shortfalls resulting in
more than $1 billion in cuts and lost funding to K•12. over the past four years. _
2. Despite slight increases in K -I2 spending for 2013 -2014, Colorado school
districts continue to experience financial difficulties due to.persistent economic
constraints, declines in revenues and increases in fixed costs such as insurance,
fuel and utilities.
3. These cuts and lost funding have been implemented despite the state legislature's
passage of signif cant reform, including but not limited to the Preschool to
Postsecondary Education Alignment Act (CAP4K) (Senate Bill 08 -212), the
Education Accountability Act of 2009 (Senate Bill 09 7 163), the Educator
Effectiveness Law (Senate Bill 10- 191), and the Colorado READ Act (House
Bill 12- 1238).
4. Reduced funding is directly impacting Boulder Valley School District's ability to
provide meaningful educational opportunities -for all students and to implement
existing and proposed education reforms.
5.. A proposed ballot. initiative to amend the Colorado Constitution and Colorado
Revised Statutes will appear as Amendment 66 in the November 5, election
and, if passed by the voters of the State of Colorado, will result in an income tax
rate increase for Colorado citizens from the "current 4.63 to 5 percent for the first
$75,OOQ of their federal taxable income and 5,9 percent for any federal taxable
income received above that amount.
6. The ballot initiative -would require 43% of state general fund revenues in any
given year be specifically allocated_ to provide increased funding for Colorado's
public education system.
7. The initiative would add funding for programs such as expanded full -day
kindergarten as well as half -day preschool funding for at -risk students and
English - language learners.
8. The increase instate tax revenues will liberate state funds for spending in other
significant areas of need in Colorado
9. The increase in public education funding will significantly benefit the children of
Colorado and, specifically, the children of the City of Boulder, by enabling public
K -12 school districts to better provide educational services to children.
RESOLUTION
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City of Boulder hereby supports and
urges a YES vote on Amendment 66, which will appear on the November 5, 2013,
election ballot.
Resolved this 17` day of September, 2013
Mayor
Attest
City Clerk on behalf o the
Director of Finance and Record