2020 Colorado Proposition EE
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Colorado Proposition EE (also the Taxes on Nicotine Products Proposition) was a legislative referendum that appeared on ballots in Colorado in the November 2020 elections. It was a proposal to increase taxes on nicotine products and place a new tax on vaping products.
Proposition EE originates from HB20-1427, a law that would increase taxes on cigarettes and nicotine products. As all tax increases have to be approved by voters under the Colorado Constitution, a Proposition was needed for the law to enter into effect.[2]
The Proposition raises taxes on cigarettes and tobacco products, and levies a new tax on nicotine products. Under the proposal, these increases would be phased in between 2021 and 2027, resulting in a tax on cigarettes of $2.64 per pack (up from $0.84), a tax on other tobacco products of 62% of the price which they are sold to retailers at (up from 40%) and a new tax on nicotine products, also set at 62%. Additionally, the Proposition raised the minimum sale price of various nicotine products.[2]
It is estimated that Proposition EE would generate up to $175.6m extra tax in its first budget year, rising to $275.9m by the time the new rates are fully in place. This would be used to increase funding for free preschool provision (an election pledge of Governor Jared Polis)[3] as well as being used in rural schools, K-12 education, housing development, and general state spending.[2]
Campaign
Support
HB20-1427, the legislation which put Proposition EE on the ballot, was sponsored by Representatives Yadira Caraveo and Julie McCluskie and Senators Rhonda Fields and Dominick Moreno.[4]
Endorsements
State legislators
- Yadira Caraveo, member of the Colorado House of Representatives for District 31[5]
- Rhonda Fields, member of the Colorado Senate for District 29[5]
- Mike Johnston, former member of the Colorado Senate for District 33[6]
- Chris Kennedy, member of the Colorado House of Representatives for District 23[7]
- Julie McCluskie, member of the Colorado House of Representatives for District 61[6]
- Jared Polis, Governor of Colorado[8]
- Tammy Story, member of the Colorado Senate for District 16[9]
Newspapers
- Aspen Daily News[10]
- Colorado Springs Gazette[11]
- The Denver Post[12]
- The Durango Herald[13][14]
- The Durango Telegraph[15]
- Grand Junction Daily Sentinel[16]
- Journal Advocate[17]
- Sentinel Colorado[18]
Organisations
- American Federation of Teachers Colorado[19]
- American Lung Association[20]
- Colorado Democratic Party[21]
- Colorado Education Association[22]
- Mental Health Colorado[23]
- Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce[24]
- Women's Foundation of Colorado[25]
Opposition
Opposition to Proposition EE mainly centered around opposition to increasing taxes in general but specifically because the Proposition was seen to be a sin tax. It was also noted by progressive groups who opposed the Proposition, such as the Working Families Party, that it would disproportionately affect poorer and working-class people, because they were more targeted by tobacco companies.[26]
Endorsements
State legislators
- John Cooke, member of the Colorado Senate for District 13[27]
Local politicians
- Françoise Bergan, member of Aurora City Council[28]
Newspapers
Organisations
- Board of Weld County Commissioners[32]
- Working Families Party of Colorado[26][33]
