Posted on 09/28/2008 6:49:16 AM PDT by Mobile Vulgus
There has been a pretty vicious fight in Colorado over several Amendments that will appear on the ballots aimed at putting a collar on rampant union violations of worker's rights this year. The unions have imported all sorts of outside groups and money to defeat these worker freedom Amendments.
Here is a page from the latest anti-worker rights the unions have sent out.
As AnCap of the People's Press colorfully says of these claims...
Read the rest at Publiusforum.com...
Amendment 47 to the Colorado Constitution:
SECTION 1. Article XVIII of the constitution of the state of Colorado is amended BY THE ADDITION OF A NEW SECTION to read: Section 16. Right to work. (1) THIS AMENDMENT SHALL BE KNOWN AND MAY BE CITED AS THE “COLORADO RIGHT TO WORK AMENDMENT”.
(2)
(a) NO PERSON SHALL, AS A CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT, BE REQUIRED TO:
(I)
BE A MEMBER OF A LABOR UNION; AND
(II)
PAY ANY DUES, FEES, ASSESSMENTS, OR OTHER CHARGES OF ANY KIND TO A LABOR UNION OR TO ANY CHARITY OR OTHER THIRD PARTY, IN LIEU OF SUCH PAYMENTS.
(b)
NOTHING IN THIS SECTION SHALL PREVENT ANY PERSON FROM VOLUNTARILY BELONGING OR VOLUNTARILY PROVIDING FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO A LABOR UNION.
(3)
ANY PERSON WHO DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY VIOLATES ANY PROVISION OF THIS SECTION COMMITS A MISDEMEANOR AND UPON CONVICTION THEREOF SHALL BE PUNISHED BY A FINE IN AN AMOUNT EQUIVALENT TO THE MOST STRINGENT MISDEMEANOR CLASSIFICATION PROVIDED BY LAW.
(4)
THIS SECTION SHALL APPLY TO ALL UNION EMPLOYMENT CONTRACTS ENTERED INTO AFTER THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS SECTION AND SHALL APPLY TO ANY RENEWAL OR EXTENSION OF ANY EXISTING UNION CONTRACT.
(5)
AS USED IN THIS SECTION, “LABOR UNION” MEANS ANY ORGANIZATION OF ANY KIND, OR AGENCY OR EMPLOYEE REPRESENTATION COMMITTEE OR ORGANIZATION, THAT EXISTS FOR THE PURPOSE, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, OF DEALING WITH EMPLOYERS CONCERNING WAGES, RATES OF PAY, HOURS OF WORK, OTHER CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT, OR OTHER FORMS OF COMPENSATION; ANY ORGANIZATION THAT EXISTS FOR THE PURPOSE OF COLLECTIVE BARGAINING OR OF DEALING WITH EMPLOYERS CONCERNING GRIEVANCES; AND ANY ORGANIZATION PROVIDING OTHER MUTUAL AID OR PROTECTION IN CONNECTION WITH EMPLOYMENT. SECTION 2. Effective date. This amendment shall take effect upon proclamation of the vote by the governor.
Amendment 49 to the Colorado Constiution:
THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF COLORADO IS AMENDED BY THE ADDITION OF A NEW ARTICLE TO READ: SECTION 1. PURPOSE AND FINDINGS. IN THE INTEREST OF ADVANCING SIMPLE, ETHICAL, AND EFFICIENT GOVERNMENT, THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF COLORADO HEREBY FIND AND DECLARE THAT PUBLIC PAYROLL SYSTEMS SHOULD NOT BE UTILIZED TO BENEFIT PRIVATE ORGANIZATIONS AND SPECIAL INTERESTS EXCEPT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THIS ARTICLE. THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF COLORADO FURTHER FIND AND DECLARE THAT THE REQUIREMENTS OF THIS ARTICLE MUST APPLY TO ALL PUBLIC EMPLOYERS, INCLUDING ALL LOCAL GOVERNMENTS AND POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS OF THE STATE. SECTION 2. DEFINITIONS. (1) “CHARITABLE DEDUCTION” MEANS A PAYROLL DEDUCTION FOR CONTRIBUTION TO A CHARITY OR OTHER ORGANIZATION EXEMPT FROM FEDERAL INCOME TAX UNDER SECTION 501 (C)(3) OF THE “INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986”, AS AMENDED.
(2)
“PUBLIC EMPLOYEE” MEANS ANY PERSON WHO IS AN EMPLOYEE OF A PUBLIC EMPLOYER AS DEFINED IN THIS ARTICLE.
(3)
“PUBLIC EMPLOYER” MEANS THE STATE OF COLORADO, INCLUDING ANY INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION; ANY COLORADO LOCAL GOVERNMENTAL ENTITY, INCLUDING CITIES, TOWNS, CITIES AND COUNTIES, AND COUNTIES; AND ANY AND ALL OTHER GOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES, INCLUDING SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS OF THE STATE OF COLORADO. PUBLIC EMPLOYER SHALL NOT INCLUDE ANY FOREIGN COUNTRY, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, THE GOVERNMENT OF ANY OTHER STATE, OR ANY ENTITIES AND SUBDIVISIONS ORGANIZED UNDER FEDERAL LAW OR UNDER THE LAWS OF SUCH OTHER STATES OR FOREIGN COUNTRIES. PUBLIC EMPLOYER SHALL NOT INCLUDE ANY PRIVATE ENTITY PROVIDING SERVICES TO A PUBLIC EMPLOYER THROUGH SUCH PRIVATE ENTITIES’ OWN EMPLOYEES AND CONTRACTORS.
(4)
“PUBLIC PAYROLL SYSTEM” MEANS THE PAYROLL SYSTEM USED BY ANY PUBLIC EMPLOYER FOR PAYMENT OF WAGES, EARNINGS, OR OTHER COMPENSATION TO PUBLIC EMPLOYEES, REGARDLESS OF WHETHER SUCH SYSTEM IS ADMINISTERED DIRECTLY BY SUCH PUBLIC EMPLOYER OR BY A THIRD PARTY PURSUANT TO A CONTRACT OR OTHER ARRANGEMENT WITH SUCH PUBLIC EMPLOYER.
SECTION 3. ALLOWABLE PUBLIC PAYROLL DEDUCTIONS.
NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER PROVISION OF LAW, NO PUBLIC PAYROLL SYSTEM SHALL TAKE ANY PAYROLL DEDUCTION FROM THE PAYROLL COMPENSATION OF ANY PUBLIC EMPLOYEE EXCEPT FOR THE FOLLOWING:
(A)
DEDUCTIONS REQUIRED BY FEDERAL LAW, INCLUDING BY WAY OF EXAMPLE BUT NOT LIMITATION, FOR SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE;
(B)
TAX WITHHOLDINGS;
(C)
JUDICIAL LIENS AND GARNISHMENTS, INCLUDING COURTORDERED CHILD SUPPORT, DOMESTIC SUPPORT, AND MAINTENANCE OBLIGATIONS AND PAYMENTS;
(D)
DEDUCTIONS FOR INDIVIDUAL OR GROUP HEALTH BENEFITS OR OTHER INSURANCE;
(E)
DEDUCTIONS FOR PENSION OR RETIREMENT PLANS OR SYSTEMS, OR OTHER SAVINGS OR INVESTMENT PROGRAMS; AND
(F)
CHARITABLE DEDUCTIONS.
SECTION 4. SELF-EXECUTING, SEVERABILITY, CONFLICTING PROVISIONS. ALL PROVISIONS OF THIS ARTICLE ARE SELF-EXECUTING AND SEVERABLE, AND SHALL SUPERSEDE CONFLICTING STATE CONSTITUTIONAL, STATE STATUTORY, LOCAL CHARTER, ORDINANCE, OR RESOLUTION, AND OTHER STATE AND LOCAL PROVISIONS. SECTION 5. EFFECTIVE DATE. THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ARTICLE SHALL TAKE EFFECT UPON THE PROCLAMATION OF THE GOVERNOR.
Well, there goes CO for McCain. This will inevitably pull out the union/leftie vote, and unless an initiative is clearly supported on the other side (as was the gay marriage thing in OH four years ago), the side that has the most to lose will carry the issue . . . and likewise the state.
Amendment 54 is simply prohibiting non-competitive contracts for anything over $100,000. As someone who has worked providing IT contracts to the State of Colorado for many years, this is a good law. As of right now there are many companies who use loopholes within the current laws to buddy up to State officials and get millions in contracts. These loopholes also shutout other, more taxpayer favorable, companies. Frankly, I’d like to see that $100,000 go down to $35,000. There are a number of contracts let by the State at $25k-$50k. These smaller contracts are able to be attached to larger contracts even if the work being done has no relation to the larger contract. It is not uncommon for a company to have one $500,000 contract but end up billing over $1,000,000 in smaller, rider contracts.
Colorado has a very small union vote. Even the lefties don’t care for unions and see unions as control freaks. Unions have a very hard time getting anywhere in this State. These measures will probably pass.
Some proposed amendments to the State Constitution for the Nanny State: ( vote no )
• Amendment 53 -makes executives personally liable for corporate fraud committed by employees
• Amendment 55 - bars employers from firing workers without “just cause” - which is not defined
• Amendment 56 - requires businesses with 20 or more employees to provide health care insurance
• Amendment 57 - allows injured workers, after collecting workers comp, to “double dip” to sue for unlimited damages including mental anguish
• Amendment 58 - eliminates a tax credit for severance (oil & gas, mineral) tax payers and dedicates funds to higher education; discourages energy exploration and development in Colorado
• Amendment 59 - eliminates TABOR refunds forever; “Strike a Better Balance” campaign is fighting this
Push-back: ( vote yes )
• Amendment 46 - Prohibits the State from discriminating or giving preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin
• Amendment 47 - allows employees to opt-out of union membership and prohibits unions from collecting mandatory dues
• Amendment 49 - Ethical Standards Now (Ask First)- stops government from bundling money through public payroll and delivering it to special lobbying interests (unions)
• Amendment 50 - Allows cities with gaming to set hours of operation and raises betting limit from $5 to $100
• Amendment 54 - Clean Government Initiative - reforms government contracting practices by closing the “Pay to Play” loophole
Not listed above:
• Amendment 48 - Change the definition of ‘person’ in the Colorado Constitution to include any fertilized egg, embryo or fetus
• Amendment 51 - Would increase the sales tax, in July 2009 and again in July 2010, to fund services for the developmentally disabled
• Amendment 52 - Would create the Colorado Transportation Trust Fund, to be funded by that portion of the severance tax that exceeds the amount deposited to the state severance tax fund in the previous year, adjusted for inflation via the Consumer Price Index
ht to morgan for the list above.
I just got my state ballot booklet, but have not read it yet...so the list above maybe preliminary. Plus all the local county stuff.
Actually, I’m less concerned with the measures (though of course I want them to pass) than with the influence they might have in bringing out more Dems on election day.
George76, Thanks for sending that list. I just mailed in my request for a mail-in ballot. I can’t imagine how long the lines are going to be with a ballot this large.
Most Democrats here are not union oriented. They are extremely liberal but they hate unions in general.
Contrary to the ads which are well done, most union members I know are not falling for the misleading firefighter ad. Just a thought. See post #9 for reasons.
Thank you for the ping. It reminds me too, I need to send this out to more people around here. I have not received my ballot yet, either, so I’ll call on that tomorrow and ask about it.
There is a good comparison between Schaffer and Udall at the MSNBC link below. Schaffer clearly overpowers Udall and show how lame Udall would be in representing CO. You can see the entire Meet the Press program or choose the exchange showing Bob Schaffer. Bob inspires as no Republican candidate has done in awhile.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26927711/
Good question : I do not.
Morgan : any thoughts...trains, buses, roads, bridges or ACORN and La Raza ?
“Do any of us know which groups the Transportation Trust Fund money goes to? I don’t like to assume anything.”
Information on Amendment 52
Amendment 52 – Reallocates existing severance tax for transportation projects on I-70.
A YES vote locks-in existing mineral severance taxes from oil and gas sales and reallocates them to transportation projects on I-70. The Department of Natural Resources budget, the current recipient of the tax monies, will still grow, but only as fast as inflation, spilling surplus revenues into roads and bridges.
I would like to add. The Department of Natural Resources receives a ton of money now. Currently, to me, too much of it goes to liberal causes under cover of this department. I like the idea of local entities in control of these funds.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.