The central committee of the San Miguel County Democrats has met and reviewed the statewide ballot issues and would offer these recommendations to the San Miguel County voters.
Amendment 46: No. This amendment would eliminate affirmative action programs, which benefit minorities and women. These programs are already narrowly tailored to counter the effects of decades of discrimination.
Amendment 47: No. It makes it more difficult for workers to organize.
Amendment 48: No. This is perhaps the most dangerous amendment proposed in any prior election year. This amendment would give “personhood” to a human egg the moment it is fertilized by the sperm. Theoretically any miscarriage would have to be investigated as the death of a person or homicide. There are over 20,000 references to “person” in Colorado statutes and each law or statute would apply to a fertilized egg. While a voter may object to abortion, this Constitutional amendment is no way to attempt to prevent the same.
Amendment 49: No. Another anti-union amendment that both business and labor agreed to oppose.
Amendment 50. Mixed recommendation. Allows gaming communities to raise the stakes in gambling. Obviously supported by the gaming industry, some people think communities with gambling should decide on the stakes, but the local folks are not the people losing the money at the tables or slots. The increased tax revenue would go to community colleges (on the backs of the losers).
Amendment 51: Yes. Increases funding for persons with disabilities.
Amendment 52: No. Diverts severance tax (on minerals, oil and gas) to highway construction. While we would prefer better roads, the loser here would be wildlife conservation, low energy assistance, industry regulation and other worthwhile projects. The Denver Post, Rocky Mountain News agree, no.
Amendment 53: Removed. Amendment 54: No. Limits free speech and especially labor unions.
Amendments 55, 56, 57: Removed. Amendment 58: Yes. Eliminates the tax subsidy for oil and gas companies (not small companies). Allocates tax revenue for college scholarships, wildlife, renewable energy projects, and water treatment.
Amendment 59: Yes. This is an anti-TABOR amendment. The rebates under TABOR will go to a Savings Account for Education (SAFE). It is supported by the Post, Rocky Mountain News, G.J. Sentinel, and the Colorado PTA.
Referendum L: Lowers age for serving in state legislature from 25 to 21. You decide.
Referendum M and N: Yes. Deletes obsolete language from the state constitution.
Referendum O: Yes, with reservation. Decreases the number of signatures on initiative petitions (to make a law) and increases number of signatures to amend the constitution. Not perfect as it requires the signatures to be from all congressional districts, but some improvement over the present.
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