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Democratic 2022 Colorado House of Representative

Andrew Boesenecker

I was born in Holland, MI, I grew up just a stone’s throw away from the shores of Lake Michigan. I was raised in a family that included public school employees, teachers, veterans and law enforcement officers. I am also proud of a family heritage that includes generations of farmers – people who know the importance of growing healthy food for their neighbors and community.I spent my childhood and teenage years sailing on Lake Michigan, exploring parks and forests, and riding my bike anywhere it would take me. One of those kids who couldn’t stop beating on pots and pans, I received my Bachelor of Music in Percussion Performance from Western Michigan University in 2001. I love playing drums and the marimba (and also the pots and pans) with my three children to this day.

Gallagher and TABOR

The Gallagher Amendment and its unfortunate and preventable collisions with TABOR has led to underfunded schools (especially in rural areas), underpaid teachers, decaying roads and forced austerity measures for Colorado, all in a time of economic growth, population growth and increased property values. TABOR and the Gallagher Amendment are based on flawed calculations, and the results have been devastating for our state. Thankfully, the Gallagher Amendment was officially repealed by a majority of Colorado voters in November 2020. I was proud to support the repeal of the Gallagher Amendment.  

Colorado currently ranks 40th in the United States in K-12 per-pupil funding, coming in at $2,000 per-pupil below the national average. Colorado also ranks 49th in the United States in regard to funding higher education, leaving families and students responsible for 2/3 of the cost of a college education.

I support repealing TABOR in its entirety. Eliminating the revenue cap as most local governments have already done, as well as restoring the ability of the state legislature to levy new taxes (in certain circumstances), would restore the original responsibility entrusted to the state legislature prior to 1992, as well as allowing the state of Colorado to proactively respond to the fiscal challenges that times of growth and/or recession present to our state. For more information on the impacts of TABOR, click here. It’s time to repeal TABOR outright so that we can fully fund our schools, pay our teachers a competitive salary, encourage growth in rural communities, restore balance to our property tax system, repair our roads and make improvements to our transportation network.