Friday, April 25, 2008

? for U.S. Senate? National environmental groups are targeting several races for the U.S. Senate including Colorado where Bob Schaffer is the whipping boy, according to Reuters. From the article: U.S. environmental groups joined forces on Thursday to target Senate candidates in Colorado, New Hampshire and New Mexico, aiming to elect a 60-vote majority to deal with global warming. Environmental measures have failed to clear Congress by "a handful of votes in the Senate" in recent years, the groups' leaders said, noting the legislation to fight climate change is set for debate by the full Senate this year. "This issue is too great for half-measures," said Ivan Frishberg of Environment America in a telephone briefing. "We need a Senate that will make the short-term carbon reductions without handouts to major polluters."[...] The groups are seeking 60 seats because that is the number needed to overcome a procedural hurdle that can block Senate action on bills. The coalition of environmental groups is supporting Rep. Mark Udall, a Colorado Democrat, for that state's open Senate seat, against former Rep. Bob Schaffer; Udall's cousin, Rep. Tom Udall, a New Mexico Democrat, for an open Senate seat; and Former Democratic New Hampshire Gov. Jeanne Shaheen for in a Senate race against incumbent Republican Sen. John Sununu. In all three cases, the coalition said, there is a clear choice for voters who want to protect the environment. They noted that all three of their choices are Democrats but said they have supported pro-environment Republicans in the past and may yet do so this year. The coalition consists of the Sierra Club, Defenders of Wildlife, the League of Conservation Voters, Clean Water Action and Environment America, which is a federation of state environmental action organizations. Category: Denver November 2008 Election 6:33:31 AM

Fall ballot issues From The Rocky Mountain News: "Gov. Bill Ritter on Thursday ended the speculation about what he wants on the November ballot, throwing his weight behind a plan to bump up Colorado's revenues from oil and gas development and provide college scholarships for tens of thousands of undergraduates. If the proposal is approved by voters in November, Ritter said it would raise at least $200 million annually. Under the plan, 60 percent of the money would go to scholarships; 15 percent to roads and clean water projects in areas impacted by the energy boom; 15 percent for protecting wildlife, which is losing habitat to the drilling; and 10 percent for the development of clean energy sources." More from the article: - What the plan would do: Raise the effective rate of severance tax by eliminating a credit for property taxes. It is expected to raise at least $200 million annually to be divided: 60 percent for undergraduate scholarships; 15 percent for wildlife protection; 15 percent for roads and clean water in the drilling regions; 10 percent for clean energy projects. - Pros: The severance tax in Colorado is significantly lower than in New Mexico and Wyoming, though higher than in Utah. State officials say the tax pays for the loss of a finite resource and the money should be invested in Colorado's future: its students, clean energy and preservation of its environment. - Cons: The industry says increasing taxes at a time when the economy is not doing well would not only dry up new investment but also eliminate jobs and leave the state economy even weaker. Other issues that voters might see Colorado housing investment fund - What it says: Amend the constitution to add a 4 percent tax to every real estate transaction in Colorado to pay for affordable housing. - Pros: Ensures low-income people can afford a home. - Cons: Adds a tax of $4,000 for every $100,000 of sales price, placing a burden on middle- and upper-class. - Status: Petition submitted; Not yet approved to start collecting signatures. State sales tax for services for individuals with developmental disabilities - What it says: Eliminate the waiting lists in Colorado for the developmentally disabled to receive state services by increasing the state sales tax rate by 0.2 percent, phased in over two years. - Pros: Enables children and adults with developmental disabilities to receive help to be included in community life. - Cons: Costs customers two cents on every $10 purchase. - Status: Petitioners still must submit 76,047 valid signatures to get question on November's ballot. Right-to-work - What it says: Agreements requiring workers to pay for union representation would not be allowed in Colorado workplaces. Just cause - What it says: Employers would have to prove reasonable cause before firing workers. Cost-of-living increases - What it says: All employees would get pay increases tied to the inflation rate. Category: Denver November 2008 Election 6:22:38 AM

© Copyright 2008 John Orr. Last update: 5/1/08; 8:03:01 AM.