Proposition 119: Learning Enrichment and Academic Progress, or LEAP, will appear on Colorado’s November ballot and proposes a phased 5% additional tax on recreational marijuana to fund out of school learning enrichment opportunities for eligible Colorado children. LEAP prioritizes low-income students and allows parents to decide which learning enrichment program or programs best fit their child’s educational needs.
On this episode of Common Sense Digest, Host and Chairman of Common Sense Institute Earl Wright welcomes Michael Johnston and Doug Robinson to discuss the measure’s origin, its need, and how it would function. He asks them tough questions on how progress would be measured, if the legislature could modify Proposition 119 if it passes since it’s a statute, and what they hope this measure will accomplish. You may find CSI’s research on the statewide ballot measure here.
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Mike Johnston is the current President and CEO of Gary Community Ventures and a former Colorado State Senator. Mike received his master’s degree in education policy from Harvard University Graduate School of Education in 2000 and his J.D. from Yale Law School in 2003. Mike has a wealth of background in the education system. He has been a teacher and principal in his professional career. He taught educational law at the University of Denver Law School and was the founding principal of Mapleton Expeditionary School of the Arts.
Doug Robinson is a former investment banker, a long-time Colorado philanthropist and community activist on issues related to marijuana. Doug was the founder of St. Charles Capital and was a candidate for Governor in 2018 in the republican primary. He received his MBA from the Columbia University MBA program.