Summary
Colorado voters will decide on two ballot measures that could affect the funding of a free school meals program. One measure proposes raising taxes on high-income earners to sustain the program, while the other seeks permission to use existing tax funds without refunding them to taxpayers.
Key Facts
- Colorado has a program called “Healthy School Meals for All” that provides free meals to public school students.
- The program originally estimated costs of $115 million for its first year but ended up costing about $162 million.
- Proposition MM aims to increase funding by reducing tax deductions for individuals earning $300,000 or more annually.
- About 194,000 taxpayers would see a tax increase if Proposition MM passes.
- The average tax increase would be about $385 for single filers and $570 for joint filers.
- Proposition LL seeks approval to use $12 million in existing tax funds for the meals program without returning the money to taxpayers.
- The Taxpayer Bill of Rights (TABOR) in Colorado requires that excess taxes be refunded unless voters permit the state to keep and spend them.
