Bill seeks to create 3 Enterprise Zones for the collection of “fees” on 3 types of alcohol beverages. Proceeds marked for alcohol education and treatment. CUT opposes the bill on several grounds: First, the state ought not to be collecting any fees on any product or service which the state does not provide. This is a flat-out tax, pure and simple. And so bill sponsors, in their never-ending crusade against TABOR (Taxpayers Bill of Rights), attempt here to do an end-run around the provisions of TABOR. Second, bill grows the size of government with 6 new FTEs, and an unelected, unaccountable Board of Directors. The Board would have rule making authority.
