Referendums C and D
Dan Haley takes a look at the issues around Referendum C in his column in today's Denver Post [October 2, 2005, "One state left behind"]. He writes, "For 13 years, the state's conservative politicians have held the Taxpayer's Bill of Rights as sacred as Sunday services and the Pledge of Allegiance. But as TABOR slows state government's recovery from the recession, some are now calling for a timeout from the amendment's requirements. Liberals would like to do away with TABOR altogether, but that isn't in the cards. Moderates, true to their colors, are in the middle - appreciating the discipline that TABOR brings to government but wary of diminishing state services and any threats to the vitality of Colorado's lifestyle and business climate."
Here's a guest commentary, from today's Post, defending the Colorado Office of Economic Development against charges from the Vote No it's Your Dough critics [October 2, 2005, "Facts about development"]. From the opinion piece, "A sudden spate of misinformation about Colorado's economic development activities in the Referendums C and D campaign deserves a response. How about this? The Colorado Economic Development Commission is entrusted with less than $1 million a year from the Colorado's general fund for a host of projects statewide. The only reason we have been able to provide broad job-creation incentives for the past few years is because of a federal grant. These funds came to each state as an economic recovery tool after the 2001 national recession. Gov. Bill Owens used this grant for three major efforts - to fund incentives for quality job creation, provide job training and market Colorado to attract tourists, the latter sorely needed in the wake of Sept. 11, fires, drought and intense competition from other states."
From today's Denver Post, "The Great Outdoors Colorado board is supporting a measure on the November ballot asking voters to give up $3.7 billion in tax surplus refunds over the next five years, saying voter rejection could hamper future purchases for parks and open space. John Swartout, executive director of the board that regulates the land purchases with proceeds from the state lottery, said GOCO might not be able to meet its constitutional obligations. Wade Haerle of Grand Junction, who represents the parks board on GOCO, said if voters reject Referendum C and a companion measure, Referendum D, allowing the state to sell bonds, the state Parks Department could lose as much as $5 million when the legislature begins looking for cuts next year, money needed to run the parks."
Category: Denver November 2005 Election
6:52:01 AM 
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