Ballot Measure On Schools Tax Still Uncertain

DENVER (AP) - A proposed Colorado ballot measure to ask voters to hike income taxes to pay for school upgrades remained in doubt Friday. State elections officials said they'd need more time to review petitions to put the tax hike on ballots.

The tax proposed would raise nearly $1 billion a year for education upgrades including expanded kindergarten and preschool and more attention for disabled students and students learning English.

Supporters of the higher tax turned in signatures earlier this month. The secretary of state announced Friday that it will take longer to verify signatures and decide whether the measure will be on fall ballots. Elections officials have until Sept. 4 to decide if petitions were sufficient.

Voter approval of the tax is required before a new school-funding overhaul law takes effect.

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