Issue Position: Jobs and The Economy

Issue Position

This is critical to our families' well-being. Employers and entrepreneurs can't move forward with the uncertainties around health care reform, the value of the dollar, increased taxes, and caps on the availability of energy.

The contrast in public policy comes down to this worldview: I trust individuals and business entities to work in their own self-interest, which means they will create win-win situations for themselves, their employees and their customers to keep and grow their businesses.

If we want more jobs, if we want to stabilize and grow the U.S. and global economy, government must respect the fact that wealth is only created in the private sector. Tax revenues from that wealth creation are what fund the programs we want in the public sector. Public sector jobs are merely a transfer - not a creation - of wealth.

Along with stable and predictable public policy, employers want an educated or well-trained workforce and transportation available to move their goods and services.

Several Democrat-sponsored bills in the Colorado Legislature will hurt business. I oppose each of them because they raise taxes - without a vote of the people as promised by TABOR, increase the cost of goods and services, and allow government to pick winners and losers in the private sector. Additionally, they put an incredible burden on small business to collect and report on taxable transactions to multiple jurisdictions.

House Bill 10-1189
Eliminates Sales Tax Exemption on Direct Mail

House Bill 10-1190
Temporarily eliminates the sales tax exemption on storage, use or consumption of electricity, fuel and other energy products.

HB 10-1191
Eliminates the sales tax exemption on candy and pop. By the definition included in this bill, even honey-roasted nuts are candy.

HB 10-1192
Eliminates sales tax exemption on some software products.

HB 10-1193
Requires out of state retailers to collect sales tax on Coloradoan's purchases. Affects those with a website link to sell online.

HB 10-1194
Eliminates sales tax exemption on non-essential items such as plastic ware, condiments, napkins, bags and other items. (When you buy a burger, the packaging will be taxed separately.)

HB 10-1195
Suspends sales tax exemption on products used to care for livestock and crops.

HB 10-1198
Suspends the Alternative Minimum Tax credit.

HB 10-1199
Reduces net operating loss carryover to $250,000 for businesses.

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