FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jonathan Lockwood
Communications Director
jonathan@compasscolorado.org
720-470-8233
Gov. Hickenlooper admits Amendment 66’s PERA possibility
DENVER (October 21, 2013)—The longstanding questioning of whether any Amendment 66 money could go to shoring up Colorado’s retirement system was finally answered affirmatively last week, by none other than Governor Hickenlooper. Watchdog Wire, an online citizen journalism website, reported Democratic Gov. John Hickenlooper has finally admitted that individual school districts may use their Amendment 66 funds toward the Public Employees’ Retirement Association (PERA), the public employee pension fund.
Yet, proponents of the nearly one billion dollar tax hike have repeatedly insisted Amendment 66 funds would not be used to backfill PERA’s $23.5 billion unfunded pension liability.
The governor’s admission came at a swank party hosted by a top donor to Colorado Commits to Kids, the pro-Amendment 66 campaign. Hickenlooper initially admitted to supporting the billion dollar tax hike in a private meeting with CEOs from Colorado Forum. Hickenlooper also signed the tax increase petition himself at a private event at Democratic former Secretary of State Bernie Buescher’s house.
“Unfortunately, in order to get a straight answer from Gov. Hickenlooper, it would appear that Coloradans must attend a fundraiser or be a high-powered executive,” said Kelly Maher, executive director of Compass Colorado. “Coloradans deserve a governor who will embrace transparency and will stand up to special interests. Sadly, Gov. Hickenlooper has done neither.”
###
Contact: Jonathan Lockwood
Communications Director
jonathan@compasscolorado.org
720-470-8233
Gov. Hickenlooper admits Amendment 66’s PERA possibility
DENVER (October 21, 2013)—The longstanding questioning of whether any Amendment 66 money could go to shoring up Colorado’s retirement system was finally answered affirmatively last week, by none other than Governor Hickenlooper. Watchdog Wire, an online citizen journalism website, reported Democratic Gov. John Hickenlooper has finally admitted that individual school districts may use their Amendment 66 funds toward the Public Employees’ Retirement Association (PERA), the public employee pension fund.
Yet, proponents of the nearly one billion dollar tax hike have repeatedly insisted Amendment 66 funds would not be used to backfill PERA’s $23.5 billion unfunded pension liability.
The governor’s admission came at a swank party hosted by a top donor to Colorado Commits to Kids, the pro-Amendment 66 campaign. Hickenlooper initially admitted to supporting the billion dollar tax hike in a private meeting with CEOs from Colorado Forum. Hickenlooper also signed the tax increase petition himself at a private event at Democratic former Secretary of State Bernie Buescher’s house.
“Unfortunately, in order to get a straight answer from Gov. Hickenlooper, it would appear that Coloradans must attend a fundraiser or be a high-powered executive,” said Kelly Maher, executive director of Compass Colorado. “Coloradans deserve a governor who will embrace transparency and will stand up to special interests. Sadly, Gov. Hickenlooper has done neither.”
###