Proposition 119 - Initiative #25 - Learning Enrichment and Academic Progress Program

Summary

Shall state taxes be increased $137,600,000 annually on retail marijuana sales by a change to the Colorado Revised Statutes concerning the creation of a program to provide out-of-school learning opportunities for Colorado children aged 5 to 17, and, in connection therewith, creating an independent state agency to administer the program for out-of-school learning opportunities chosen by parents; funding the program by increasing the retail marijuana sales tax by 5% by 2024 and reallocating a portion of the public school lands income; authorizing transfers and revenue for program funding as a voter-approved revenue change; specifying that learning opportunities include tutoring and extra instruction in subjects including reading, math, science, writing, music, and art, targeted support for children with special needs and learning disabilities, career and technical education training, and other academic or enrichment opportunities; and prioritizing program financial aid for low-income students? The measure creates the Learning Enrichment and Academic Progress program (program) to provide financial aid and support to eligible Colorado youth to access out-of-school learning and enrichment opportunities like tutoring. Children between the ages of 5 and 17 who live in Colorado will be eligible to apply for the program. The program will be funded using revenue raised from increasing retail marijuana taxes by 5 percent over three years, plus an estimated $20 million annually from the General Fund. Additionally, the measure diverts approximately $20 million annually from the State Land Trust, which helps fund public schools, to the State Public School Fund.

A "yes" vote on Proposition 119 funds financial aid for tutoring and other out-of-school enrichment and instruction through an increase in retail marijuana taxes and transfers from existing state funds.

A "no" vote on Proposition 119 means the program will not be created and funded.

Arguments

Proposition 119 increases the sales tax on retail marijuana to fund financial aid for tutoring and other out-of-school learning opportunities for Colorado students. Even before the pandemic, tutoring and out-of-school instructional support were badly needed by the significant number of students who are not proficient in reading, writing, or math. School closures caused by COVID have urgently increased the need for outside instructional support, especially among low-income students who cannot afford the cost of tutoring or enrichment services., in support of Proposition 119 (Learn more)

Proposition 119 supports the academic and developmental needs of all students, and low-income students will be prioritized for financial aid. The measure empowers an independent, bipartisan board to certify that tutoring and enrichment providers are qualified and accountable. Once financial aid is awarded, families and students will have the choice about which certified tutors or other instructional providers best meet the specific needs of their student., in support of Proposition 119 (Learn more)

Proposition 119 allows public money to be directed to private out-of-school service providers instead of invested directly in public schools. Public dollars set aside for education are needed to support the public education system. If voters want to increase retail marijuana taxes for education, the revenue would be better used to expand the capacity of public schools in every community, keeping the money under local control and allowing school districts to reinstate programs they have had to cut and to provide additional learning and enrichment opportunities for children., in opposition to Proposition 119 (Learn more)

Increasing the sales tax on marijuana will further increase the gap in prices between legal marijuana and black-market marijuana, pushing more individuals into the black market and hurting legitimate retail marijuana businesses. Additionally, the retail sales tax on marijuana already places a greater financial burden on low-income individuals; increasing the tax rate will only make this worse., in opposition to Proposition 119 (Learn more)

Measure Details