Colorado Spending Transparency

Technically the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights prevents lawmakers from raising taxes without a vote of the people.  They can raise fees but fees are supposed to cover the cost of services provided only.  And the Tooth Fairy and Easter Bunny are real.

Natalie Menten and Face the State cooperated to show us just how much the General Assembly raised fees in the last legislative session. 

59 bills were introduced during the 2009 session that established or changed fees. Of the lot, only eight were killed, with the balance signed by the governor for a total of $562,969,430 in revenue for fiscal year 2009-2010.

Pick your favorite fee by checking out the 2009 Fee Increase Spreadsheet.  The new fees provide some 560 million reasons why Coloradans need complete transparency.