Colorado Referendum H

Elections in Colorado
Federal government Presidential elections 1984 1988 1992 1996 2000 2004 2008 2012 Presidential caucuses Republican 2008 2012 Democratic 2008 U.S. Senate elections 1980 1986 1990 1992 1996 1998 2002 2004 2008 2010 2014 U.S. House elections 2000 2002 2004 2006 4th 5th 7th 2008 2010 2012 2014
State government General elections 2010 2014 Gubernatorial elections 1998 2002 2006 2010 2014 Legislative elections 2013 recalls
Ballot measures 2004 36 2006 38 41 42 43 44 E F G H I J K 2008 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 54 58 59 L 2010 62 2012 64
Denver Mayoral elections 2011

Referendum H was a 2006 Colorado referendum to bar businesses from claiming a state income tax business deduction for wages paid to workers who were known at the time of hiring to be undocumented immigrants. It affected employees hired on and after January 1, 2008.

Arguments

Arguments for: It targets the employment of unauthorized aliens, which is the root cause of illegal immigration. It reduces the financial advantage a business gains from paying lower wages to people illegally in the country.

Arguments against: It will have little or no effect on illegal immigration because it increases taxes only if a business voluntarily discloses its paid wages to unauthorized aliens. Illegal immigration is a national issue and the responsibility of the federal government.

Who's for it? --Rep. Debbie Benefield, D-Jefferson County

Who's against it? --Douglas Bruce

See also

• List of Colorado ballot measures

External links

• Legislative Council ballot analysis
• Ballot question language
• Bell Policy Center 2006 Voter's Guide analysis