Vote no on Amendments 60, 61, Proposition 101

In an effort to save money for school districts, proponents of resolutions Amendment 60 and 61 are trying to fix a situation by sucking the life out of one of Colorado’s — and any nation’s — most treasured asset: higher education. The two pieces of Legislature will be included in this November’s mid-term election. If either of the amendments passes, it could devastate future funding for all higher education facilities. Opponents of the amendments claim the two proposals could cost Colorado colleges and universities $1 billion next year. Although UNC relies on state funding less than the other four-year universities, it is still a significant portion of what the institution needs to operate. Amendment 60 will require schools to cut property taxes in half. To make up the difference, large amounts of grants and donations will have to support the enterprises of education. Also, relying on a shaky economy to give back to the schools is not a secure option. Amendment 61 strangles the cash flow schools need to continue projects by limiting enterprise borrowing. Any bonds or lending the schools receive must be repaid in 10 years from the time of the agreement, instead of the more lenient 20 to 30 years many universities and school districts have already invested in. The amendment states no borrowing can be extended after 2010, if passed. Proposition 101 is somewhat related to funding education, but deals more with car taxes and licensing. Taxes allocated to fund schools would see a decline, but it would not be as devastating as the other two. Still, don’t vote on it. Reserve funds schools and other enterprises use for emergencies will be tapped quickly in an effort to maintain a balanced budget if these amendments pass. From the economic downturn to more cuts in education, the rations needed to stave off are already dwindling at an alarming rate; many enterprises are in decent financial shape at the moment, but how long can relying on hypothetical means of income further any establishment? The Denver Post and various political outlets have already published scathing material about the proposals. It’s time the students at the University of Northern Colorado know their vote could put their institution and the state’s young minds far behind the pace of the vastly-expanding arena of the academy. Editor’s note: For more information about the issue in this column, visit www.donthurtcolorado.com.