Ballot measures and me
Here’s how I am voting on the 14 ballot issues we are facing this fall.
Referendum L: Lower the age requirement to serve in the Colorado General Assembly from 25 to 21 years old. NO. My take: 21 is too young to make public policy affecting millions of people.
Referendum M: Eliminate obselete constitutional provisions regarding land value increases. YES.
Referendum N: Eliminate obselete constitutional provisions regarding "intoxicating liquors. " YES.
Referendum O: Change the rules for amending the constitution. NO. My take: won’t keep well-funded special interest groups from getting constitutional amendments on the ballot but it will be prohibitive for those at the grassroots level.
Amendment 46 "“ Colorado Civil Rights Initiative: YES. My take: in order to realize Martin Luther King’s dream of a color blind society, we have to do away with gender and race preferences.
Amendment 47 "“ Right to Work. YES. My take: no employee should be forced to join a union or pay “agency fees” as a condition of employment. It’s un-American.
Amendment 48 "“ Definition of Person Initiative: NO. My take: I fear the unintended legal consequences of this ballot measure. I hate abortion and that’s where the discussion should be. If this passes, I will blame the abortion industry for never giving an inch on “abortion rights” and forcing this issue. BTW — my husband Weld County Sheriff John Cooke disagrees with me and will vote in favor.
Amendment 49 "“ Ethical Standards in Payroll. YES. My take: Government should not be the collection agent/bagman for special interests — a no brainer.
Amendment 50 "“ Limited Gaming. NO. My take: If for one little word I might consider voting yes. Three mountain towns will lose local control and with funding tied to community colleges, the future of Black Hawk, Central City and Cripple Creek will be in the hands of casinos and colleges.
Amendment 51 "“ Sales Tax for Developmentally Disabled Initiative. NO. My take: No taxation without information! Where did all the Ref C money go?
Amendment 52 "“ Severance Tax and Transportation Initiative. YES. My take: I’m sick of the HUTF being raided for the legislature’s pet project. And yes, roads and transportation infrastructure are a function of government. Beauty is with Amendment 52 we fund transportation without raising taxes.
Amendment 54 "“ Clean Government Initiative. YES. My take: I can’t believe it is legal to donate to a campaign then turn around and get a no-bid contract. This amendment takes care of pay-to-play.
Amendment 58 "“ Severance Tax Initiative. NO. My take: In principle I’m opposed to tax increases but this one is truly horrible. It will raise energy costs for consumers and destroy jobs. It will be particularly painful for Weld County which gets an enormous amount of revenue from oil and gas extraction. It sounds like an economic horror show!
Amendment 59 "“ Savings Account for Education. NO. My take: Will be the death of TABOR and increase taxes for Coloradans. The money goes to the biggest lobbying group in the nation — public education. Question: Where did all the Ref C money go? Remember: No taxation without information!