City Council Agenda and Packet 2013 12 06 LEGISLATORS

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Louisville 2014 Legislative Agenda (in no particular order) Tax Policy The City supports a fair and consistent State policy that respects the authority of local governments. Further, the City opposes State exemptions that erode municipal sales tax, use taxes, property taxes and other revenue sources. Position: The City opposes legislation that preempts local authority to impose and collect sales and use taxes. Supports voluntary, cooperative efforts among Colorado municipalities to standardize sales and use tax practices and utilize technology for the convenience of taxpayers, the business community and municipalities. The City opposes State-granted exemptions or other State actions that erode municipal sales taxes, use taxes, property taxes, and other revenue sources unless the State provides adequate replacement revenues. Supports equitable sharing with municipalities of existing and future State revenues derived from State-collected, locally shared revenues, such as the Cigarette Tax, Highway Users Tax Fund, Lottery and Marijuana. Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit The historic preservation community is considering a bill that would increase the state income tax credit that can be claimed to offset the cost of historic structure rehabilitation projects. Current statute allows a 20 percent credit for income-producing and homeowner properties. There is currently a $50,000 per project cap. The bill under discussion would raise those limits and allow credits to be transferred to other parties. Few credits have been claimed during the past 5 years prompting concern that the current limits make the program unattractive. Louisville in 2009 passed a preservation tax to provide incentives for commercial and residential landmarks. Increases in limits and to the cap of the state historic rehabilitation tax credit would provide additional incentive for businesses and homes in Louisville to preserve their historic structure. Position: Support an increase to the state income tax credit that can be claimed to offset the cost of historic rehabilitation projects. Home Rule: Maintaining Local Control The City supports local control and maintaining home rule authority. In general, the City believes that local problems are best addressed at the local level and the current authority and powers of municipal governments such as land use, zoning, personnel matters, sales tax, etc. should not be diminished. Position: The City urges State officials to respect Colorado’s tradition of local control and allow municipal officials to address local problems without State interference. Support revisions on local liquor licensing process and fees, and minor adjustments in licenses. Early Childhood Development The City is happy to have support for early literacy in the form of State Grants for Libraries Act for Fiscal Year 2013-2014 funds. These funds are a huge help in supplementing and building parts of our collections that support young readers.