Denver sales tax increase moves one step closer to making it on the Nov. ballot [Video]

DENVER — Denver Mayor Mike Johnston’s proposal to raise the sales tax by five cents on every ten dollars now needs to pass through one more reading after an 8-5 vote in favor at Monday night’s city council meeting.

A good chunk of the discussion centered around Councilperson Shontel Lewis’ suggestion that the estimated $100 million gathered from this tax be used to help with home ownership. It would all be based on how much people make versus Denver’s area median income (AMI).

Lewis proposed this amendment to avoid using public money to financially support building rental housing that is already priced at market rate, but the motion ultimately failed 5-8.

Councilperson Flor Alvidrez said she felt there was a disconnect, explaining a household making even $100,000 a year could still struggle to live comfortably in Denver’s equal market rate.

“I do think there are families making that much that …