Legislative Action; Lobbyist; Lobbying; Volunteer; LAC; Stances Proposition NN

HomeProposition NN : Stance

BACKGROUND

TABOR, adopted by voters in 1992, limits state revenue and spending and requires voter approval for tax increases; revenue collected above the cap must otherwise be refunded to taxpayers.

What It Does

Raises the TABOR cap by an amount equal to K-12 education funding (about $4.6 billion), beginning FY 2026-27 for ten years.
Funds a new K-12 “positive factor” — about $107 million in year one, growing to an estimated $2 billion over 10 years — usable only for teacher pay/retention, smaller class sizes, and career and technical courses.
Directs retained revenue first to Homestead exemption reimbursements, then the positive factor, then disability/school services, added contact hours, and child care/preschool programs.
After the 10-year period, retained revenue above required commitments may be spent for any purpose the Legislature chooses.
Requires an annual, independent state audit of how retained revenue is spent.

LINK TO FISCAL NOTE

The measure allows the state to retain revenue collected above the Referendum C cap, up to a newly established limit. Revenue retained under the measure must be used to fund reimbursements for the homestead property tax exemption, K-12 education, and programs that support children. The bill is projected to affect state expenditures, school districts, and TABOR refunds on an ongoing basis.

LEAGUE POSITION

LWVUS Impact on Issues 2024 – The League supports “Mechanisms for local and state funding with adequate federal support for mandates that require less burdensome, compliance-based reporting and regulations” (p. 140).

LWVCO Positions for Action 2025-2026 – LWVCO supports “a state fi nance system that would provide enough funds for public schools to equalize educational opportunity and relieve the property tax” that should include “adequate sources of revenue” (p. 96) and “has concentrated on school fi nance since 1968, supporting the School Finance Act of 1973 and amendments to that law which increased funding equity for districts” (p. 97).

LWVCO Positions for Action 2025-2026 – LWVCO has “supported efforts to work within TABOR to gain more budget fl exibility for the state” (p. 41).

RATIONALE FOR STANCE

LWVCO supports this bill because the League supports policies that provide an equitable, quality public education for all children from pre-K through grade 12.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Rocky Mountain PBS: https://www.rmpbs.org/news/government/tabor-education-funding-bill

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HOW DOES THE LEAGUE TAKE A STANCE?

These two publications are designed to help League members use LWVUS and LWVCO public policy positions effectively at the state and local levels.

NOTE: For information on how to take action that the League supports or opposes, please visit our Take Action page.

LWVCO 2026-2027 Positions for Action

LWVUS 2024 - 2026 Impact on Issues

QUICK REFERENCE GUIDE

The Legislative Action Committee is comprised of lobbyists, scholars, and members who meticulously examine each proposed measure, ensuring they are aligned with both LWVCO and LWVUS public policy issues.

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