Much ado has been made out of the 11th-hour deal that pulled four labor union-sponsored initiatives from the Colorado ballot. As opined by the editors of the Rocky Mountain News:On Thursday, labor peace was restored in Colorado. At least until the 2009 legislature convenes. The announcement that two labor-backed groups would remove Amendments 53, 55, 56 and 57 from the November ballot - and in return business groups would fund a joint business-labor campaign to defeat Amendments 47, 49 and 54 - is a positive development. The state's economic health was in the crosshairs of the labor measures, a couple of which probably had a good shot at passage. There's no doubt that the "economic health" and well-being of Colorado families and … [Read more...]
Sorry, David: Even the Strongest Case Against Amendment 49 is Very Weak
Rank liberal blogger David Thielen among the confused and misinformed about Amendment 49. Now David and I have a cordial relationship, so the misinformation and illogic in his attack on Amendment 49 deserve a cordial response. First, though, I have to say David did the most admirable job I have yet seen in trying to argue against the Ethical Standards Initiative. His case is miles ahead of the deception and hypocrisy in the well-heeled opposition Protect Colorado's Culture of Corruption Future. Nevertheless, David still comes up short. His primary problem is rooted in the fact that he thinks Amendment 49 somehow will affect the Colorado Labor Peace Act. Simply put, it doesn't. (Read the ballot language for yourself.) Even so, David … [Read more...]
Last-Minute Initiative Submissions Make It Look Like a Crowded Colorado Ballot
It looks like a crowded ballot after all. Face The State was on the scene yesterday to report that six more campaigns turned in signatures before the deadline in an effort to get their initiatives on the ballot. They are all bad news - some worse than others. It looks like five of them are a lock to make the ballot, while a sixth one may cut it very close. Along with the four citizens' initiatives that have already secured a place for Colorado voters to decide in November, and several legislative referenda, there may be a record 19 measures on the ballot. Stay tuned to Mount Virtus for coverage of statewide issues. … [Read more...]