“It is heartening to see a politician moving deliberately ahead with his campaign promises, and particularly for putting a long-overdue tax cut at the top of a list of campaign promises fulfilled.”

- Grand Junction Daily Sentinel

During his 4 years in office, Gov. Bill Owens has always refused to raise taxes on hard-working Coloradans.  In fact, he has provided Coloradans with nearly $1 billion in tax relief.  

Gov. Owens produced the largest tax relief package in Colorado history.  He insisted it be broad-based so more Coloradans would benefit. Gov. Owens has streamlined state government to avoid waste, and has maintained a balanced budget by taking necessary actions to keep government from growing faster than revenues.

Coloradans today pay less in income taxes, less in sales taxes, and less in business property taxes.  Colorado families no longer face a "marriage tax penalty" for state taxes, and Gov. Owens provided relief to Colorado's working poor by raising the earned income tax credit.  

A July 2002 Wall Street Journal editorial praised Gov. Owens for his conservative fiscal policies which, they pointed out, are helping Colorado weather the economic challenges we are seeing nationwide.  And in September 2002, the fiscally conservative Cato Institute ranked Gov. Owens as the nation's best fiscal manager among governors.

Gov. Owens believes all Coloradans deserve relief from high taxes -- everybody, including hard-working wage earners, dedicated small business owners, or retired couples.  They should all keep more of their hard-earned money for their own pressing needs.

Gov. Owens has:

·        Worked with the legislature to provide nearly $1 billion in tax relief; sales and income tax relief represent 80 percent of these cuts.

·        Eliminated the marriage tax penalty.

·        Signed legislation creating the Income Tax Deduction for Charity.

·        Created and increased the business personal property tax credit.

·        Raised the earned income tax credit and created Individual Development Accounts.

For more information see our Economy & Technology page.

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