DeGette Meets with Englewood City Council

Renewable energy rules, federal highway funds and charging local tax on Internet sales were among issues discussed when Englewood City Council members met with U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette, a Democrat who represents Colorado’s 1st Congressional District.

DeGette said one issue on the tentative congressional agenda is to overhaul the 2005 energy act, which could benefit residents, companies and local governments.

“Technology exists now that didn’t exist in 2005,” she said. “For example, there is no provision for rebates for installing LED lighting. The LED lights save energy and passage of this provision could save millions of dollars in energy costs.”

City Manager Erik Keck said LED light installation would be a huge benefit for Englewood.

“The energy costs for city hall are huge,” he said. “I would estimate installing LED lighting throughout the building has the potential to reduce our energy bill by as much as 50 percent.”

DeGette said she likes to meet with local governments in January if possible to talk about what is on the agenda for the upcoming congressional session and to discuss issues that are of local concern.

To start the discussion, Mayor Joe Jefferson asked if Congress was considering legislation regarding charging local sales taxes on Internet purchases.

“We advocate requiring charging local and state taxes for items bought on the Internet and delivered to a local home address,” he said. “Not charging taxes on Internet purchases puts local businesses at a disadvantage, and the city doesn’t receive sales taxes on items not purchased locally.”

DeGette said the Market Fairness Act is in committee and might not be brought to the floor of the House for a vote. She said a similar bill is being proposed in the Senate that might move forward.

“Those opposed to the proposal said it would be too difficult to collect. But, with the technology advances, that is no longer an issue,” she said. “It would be easy to charge taxes based on point of delivery. I support that concept.”

Council member Steve Yates agreed.

“There is software that can identify the taxes at the point of delivery,” he said. “That would make it easy to charge local taxes on Internet sales.”

The council raised the issue of the federal transportation bill. DeGette said she was happy the bill was passed.

“We also finally passed five-year authorization for the federal highway trust fund,” the congresswoman said. “The bill authorized $70 billion from general funds. I would have preferred a small increase in the gas tax to provide money for the trust fund.”

Council members Rita Russell and Amy Martinez attended the meeting, their first session with the congresswoman since being elected to the city council.

“It was a very good session,” Russell said after the meeting. “I enjoyed it and it was very informative. I am glad I came.”

Martinez had similar comments.

“I appreciate the congresswoman taking time to meet with us,” she said. “It was a very informative meeting, and I like the congresswoman’s offer to help the city pursue projects in any way possible.”