Denver Mayor Mike Johnston announced Friday he will not support the fur and slaughterhouse bans, though is backing a sales tax hike aimed at generating $100 million for "affordable" housing.
The mayor on Friday outlined his positions on several local and statewide measures that will appear on the city's ballot this November.
Initiated Ordinances 308 and 309 have drawn criticism from livestock groups, including the National Western Stockshow and the Colorado Livestock Association.
The group behind it, Pro-Animal Denver, argues that the slaughterhouses are bad for animals and people. Employees from Superior Farms — the state’s largest lamb meat processing facility — contend the proposal unfairly targets their company .
Johnston, a former educator and principal, also opposes Amendment 80, which would amend the state constitution to say all K-12 students have the right to school choice. The measure says parents have the right to direct their children's education , and that school choice includes neighborhood, charter, private, and home schools, open enrollment options, and any future innovations in education.
The measure has attracted the support of School Choice for Every Child, which registered in May but has not reported any contributions as of Sept. 15. No on 80 has yet to register as an issue committee.
Johnston did not explain why he opposes the three measures.
Given what he calls a “high profile presidential race,” Johnston encouraged all residents to fill out their entire ballot, adding it is “more important than ever” to do so.
“Denver voters will make critical decisions on a dozen city issues this November,” he said. “We have a chance to make transformative change to the city through this election, and I urge every Denverite to join me in filling out all six pages to make your voice heard.”
Johnston is expectedly backing two measures that will raise Denver’s sales tax rate of 8.81% by 0.34 points and 0.5 points, respectively
The first and smaller of the two is a tax rate increase that will raise roughly $70 million for Denver Health, the hospital system and trauma center that has not been profitable for years.
The larger of the two tax measures is a 0.5 point increase that Johnston introduced with the support of several city councilmembers. The new revenue stream, which will sunset after 40 years, will raise about $100 million annually for "affordable" housing projects. It became a contentious issue in the City Council, with members worrying if Denver voters could absorb sales tax increases.
If both are approved, Denver’s sales tax rate would rise to 9.65%, making it one of the highest taxed major city on Colorado’s Front Range.
Here is where Johnston stands on 17 issues appearing on Denver's November ballot:
Johnston's Position on Ballot issues 2R, Affordable Denver Support 2Q, Denver Health Support 2T, Removing Citizenship Requirements for Police and Firefighters Support 2V, Firefighters Collective Bargaining Support 2U, Collective Bargaining Support 2S, Department of Human Rights Support 2W, Salaries of Elected Officials Support Ordinance 308, Fur Ban Oppose Ordinance 309, Slaughterhouse Ban Oppose 4A, Denver Public Schools Bond Support 6A, Denver Downtown Development Authority Support 7A, Regional Transportation District Support Amendment G, Modify Property Tax Exemption for Veterans with Disabilities Support Amendment J, Repealing the Definition of Marriage in the Constitution Support Amendment 80, Constitutional Right to School Choice Oppose Amendment 79, Constitutional Right to an Abortion Support Proposition 131, Establishing All-Candidate Primary and Ranked Choice Voting General Elections Support
The election is November 5.
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