Letter: Do we really need bigger government?

Mark Lewis’ recent column about the huge increases in property taxes in Colorado needs to be taken very seriously. People who have lived in their homes for years are now in jeopardy of losing them, especially if they are on a fixed income. Social security went up 8% compared to some property tax increases hitting 50%. Do the math.

Colorado residents need to get a law passed that protects the personal residences of its citizens. Florida has such a law, called “Save our Homes.” If your property is your homestead the taxes can only go up 3% a year, regardless of the increase in value. Both Florida and Colorado have had huge influxes of people coming to their states and driving up property values. 

How can the citizens not object to the government getting  (and spending) these huge windfalls? Do we really need bigger government at the municipal, state, and federal levels? Government eats up a growing percentage of the GDP — we need to put on the brakes. 

Katherine Newman 
EagleVail