John Hickenlooper: “today, the other side is trying to pass I think what can only be called an extreme budget plan--very extreme--which is…”

“today, the other side is trying to pass I think what can only be called an extreme budget plan--very extreme--which is chock-full of bad ideas to help pay for their tax breaks, most of which are for the ultrawealthy. They are targeting critical services like Medicaid. They are trying to green-light a fire sale of public lands, which I have an amendment on to present later to try to prevent. They are even floating an idea to stick small businesses with the bill for some of these cuts. One idea they proposed could cap or eliminate the ability for businesses to claim a deduction for their property taxes, which is one of the most common business expenses there is. Bare bones, it would raise taxes on small businesses, these businesses being the engine of our community. Running a small business isn't easy. I know that firsthand. I remember how hard it was when I first opened the Wynkoop Brewing Company, Colorado's first brewpub. We worked long hours, both before we opened and especially after we opened. We were constantly stressed about having enough money to pay for our rent, our staff, to purchase the foodstuff that we made into meals--all of our expenses. I can tell you that having to pay even a little more in taxes would have made life that much worse. It would have devastated us. So why would Republicans on the other side want to make it harder to grow or open a small business? We should be helping entrepreneurs.…”