Colorado Propositions FF and 123: Tax Loopholes and Broken Promises

On October 3, 2022, Kim Monson tackles two controversial Colorado ballot measures, Proposition FF on school meals and Proposition 123 on affordable housing, while Matt Dark of Roots Medical addresses health freedom concerns and Ben Murrey of the Independence Institute exposes Governor Polis’s broken tax reform promises.

Health Freedom and Informed Consent

Start listening at 62:22 – Hour 2

Matt Dark warns that California’s new law preventing doctors from providing informed consent on vaccines represents a dangerous precedent that could spread to other states. He emphasizes that Roots Medical will never compromise on presenting patients with the pros, cons, and alternatives for any medication, regardless of government mandates.

Dark expresses alarm over the deteriorating medical freedom landscape, noting that some analysis suggests 17 states may follow California’s lead. He points to data suggesting increased COVID vaccination correlates with higher mortality rates, criticizing institutions that continue mandating vaccines for military personnel and healthcare workers despite mounting safety concerns.

“We would not recommend this vaccine to a death row inmate. I want to be very sure. Make sure I understand that out there loud for everyone. We are not recommending and have not recommended this vaccine for any person because of the risk. It’s not fit for human consumption.”

Matt Dark, Roots Medical

Governor Polis’s Tax Reform Deception

Start listening at 72:08 – Hour 2

Ben Murrey presents a damning 66-page report documenting how Governor Polis campaigned on eliminating special interest tax loopholes and using that revenue to cut everyone’s income taxes, then did the exact opposite once in office. The Independence Institute’s analysis reveals Polis signed legislation increasing special interest tax benefits by $640 million while never delivering promised income tax cuts.

Murrey explains that when Colorado shifted to one-party Democratic control, Republicans’ preferred tax benefits for education savings and small businesses were eliminated while new benefits for climate initiatives and wealth redistribution were expanded. He notes Polis reduced TABOR refunds by over $200 million during his first term by expanding special interest giveaways, effectively raising taxes on ordinary Coloradans.

The fiscal policy expert also contrasts Heidi Ganahl’s detailed plan to eliminate the state income tax with Polis’s vague proposal requiring a carbon tax that would translate to $45 per gallon gasoline, yet media only scrutinizes the Republican candidate.

“Polis never did either thing that he said he was going to do. The one, getting rid of special interest tax benefits. He didn’t do that. He did the opposite of that. And number two, lowering income taxes for everybody. He didn’t do that either. So he didn’t do anything he promised on the tax reform front.”

Ben Murrey, Fiscal Policy Director, Independence Institute

Ballot Measures Disguised as Compassion

Start listening at 33:00 – Hour 1

Kim Monson dissects Proposition FF, the 18-page “Healthy School Meals for All” measure that she argues is neither healthy nor for all children, since it only applies to participating schools receiving state subsidies. The measure creates new bureaucracies within the Department of Education, establishes parent advisory committees with demographic quotas, and allows administrators to skim up to 22% off the top for allowable costs and implementation.

Proposition 123 on affordable housing receives similar scrutiny, with Kim noting it would redirect state income tax revenue to unelected bureaucracies, de-TABOR the funds, and require local governments to increase subsidized housing units by 3% annually. Both measures allow acceptance of gifts and donations from public and private sources, opening doors to special interest influence over programs ostensibly designed to help struggling families.