| |
|
Thursday, September 21, 2006
|
|
Colorado Confidential has an analysis the opponents and proponents of Amendment 44. They write, "The campaign to legalize an ounce of marijuana for adults is heating up in Colorado, as opponents of the measure announced this morning that they are starting their own series of battles against Amendment 44. They were also packing some major political clout. Lieutenant Governor Jane Norton spoke out strongly against the initiative, along with a DEA agent, and an out-of-state nonprofit corporation."
Take the time to read the whole article.
Category: Denver November 2006 Election
7:08:59 AM 
|
|
ToTheRight.org: "State Sen. Shawn Mitchell had a novel suggestion: Why not have an 'open mic' night and offer some thoughts on what the Beauprez campaign should be doing. Here are some of our thoughts..."
Category: Denver November 2006 Election
7:05:07 AM
|
|
Amendment 44, and it's perceived effect on law enforcement, is the subject of this article from the Rocky Mountain News. From the article, "Voter approval of a statewide ballot measure that would legalize possession of small amounts of marijuana would put further strains on federal law enforcement officials, opponents of the proposal said Wednesday. Drug runners will begin trafficking large amounts of marijuana to sell if Colorado voters approve the amendment, Drug Enforcement Agency special agent Jeffrey Sweetin said. Large amounts, he added, become a serious federal problem...
"The fight over the ballot measure, which a recent Rocky Mountain News/CBS 4 poll showed to be failing 53 percent to 42 percent, has centered largely on the medical effects of marijuana and the age of those who would be allowed to smoke the drug. Fay said that the amendment would make it legal for an adult to give an ounce of marijuana to a 15-year-old, but proponents said that is misleading. Mason Tvert, campaign manager for a group that supports the amendment, said that there are already laws on the books that make it a felony to provide marijuana to a minor. His group wants to make it legal only for those over 21 to possess pot, he said. Tvert said the opposition forces 'bend the truth' about marijuana and are using scare tactics to defeat the measure - including the charge that they're part of a national movement to legalize all drugs and are funded by wealthy individuals and political action groups."
Amendment 44 is picking up some support, according to the Rocky Mountain News. From the article, "Backers of a statewide initiative to legalize adult marijuana possession got the support of a few Republican and Democratic activists at a gathering on the Capitol steps Tuesday afternoon. Republican Jessica Corry, a law student at the University of Denver, stood with Democrat Barbara Harvey and said prohibition of marijuana hasn't worked and distracts law enforcement from pursuing more serious drugs like methamphetamines, cocaine and heroin."
Category: Denver November 2006 Election
6:40:51 AM
|
|
Here's a report about Amendment 41 from the Denver Post. They write, "A proposed constitutional amendment to prohibit gifts to public officials could affect everything from little league uniforms to college scholarships for government workers' children, an opposition group said Wednesday. Proponents, however, called the claims bogus distractions, previewing what promises to become a heated debate over just how much the measure would ban. Amendment 41 would prohibit cash and gifts of more than $50 to government employees, state elected politicians, other officials and their families...
"'It will impact hundreds of thousands of Coloradans who certainly are not corrupt and are certainly not in the position to do favors for lobbyists,' said Katy Atkinson, director of the No on 41 campaign that launched Wednesday. For example, children of government employees probably could not accept college scholarships because it would be considered a gift of more than $50, Atkinson said. The measure could also prevent businesses from sponsoring little league teams if a government employee's child plays on the team because the purchase of a child's uniform could be viewed as a gift, the group says.
"Jenny Flanagan of Colorado Common Cause, an author of the measure, said, 'We're not going after people's abilities to go live their lives.' The opposition are coming up with bogus claims to distract from the real issues of the campaign,' Flanagan said, adding that the measure is trying to prevent personal financial gain from public positions.
Here's the coverage from the Rocky Mountain News. They write, "Great title. Bad idea. That's the word from the critics of a ballot proposal called 'Ethics in Government.' They say the public might believe Amendment 41 simply stops lobbyists from wining and dining the governor and state lawmakers. But they contend the ballot measure is so far-reaching that it impacts all public employees, from firefighters to city clerks, and that their children would be prevented from accepting a range of gifts, from scholarships to Little League uniforms. It also impacts those who have contracts with government."
Category: Denver November 2006 Election
6:34:26 AM
|
|
The Denver Post has the fundraising numbers for the groups around Referendum I and Amendment 43. From the article, "The organization backing Referendum I, which would give certain domestic-partnership rights to same-sex couples, broke the $1 million mark in Wednesday's latest fundraising report. Coloradans for Fairness has raised more than $1.14 million, with the latest large infusions coming from the Gill Action Fund and Fort Collins philanthropist Pat Stryker."
"Backers of Amendment 43, which would effectively ban gay marriage, aren't far behind. Coloradans for Marriage has raised a little more than $265,000, but Colorado Family Action Inc., the Focus on the Family-funded committee that also opposes Referendum I, has reported more than $700,000."
Category: Denver November 2006 Election
6:28:34 AM
|
|
Bill Ritter is leading U.S. Representative Bob Beauprez in the polls and now he has the lead in fundraising, according to the Denver Post. From the article, "Democratic gubernatorial candidate Bill Ritter extended his fundraising lead against Republican Bob Beauprez, reporting Wednesday that he has raised nearly $3 million in contributions as the candidates enter the final stretch of the campaign. Ritter collected $197,362 from contributors during the two- week period ending Sept. 13, bringing his total cash contributions for the campaign to $2.88 million, according to reports filed late Wednesday with the Colorado secretary of state's office. Beauprez reported raising $99,947, for a total of $2.38 million. Although Beauprez is now trailing by about half a million dollars, his campaign hopes to regain some ground when President Bush comes to town Oct. 4 for a fundraiser. The luncheon, at the Inverness hotel, costs $1,000 a person. The Beauprez campaign is expecting between 400 and 500 guests."
Category: Denver November 2006 Election
6:22:23 AM
|
|
|
© Copyright 2006 John Orr.
Last update: 10/1/06; 8:46:22 AM.
|
|
|
