Chamber Ballot Initiative Positions

The South Metro Denver Chamber Board of Directors has voted on and approved the following positions on the 2008 ballot measures that will come before the voters in November. The Chamber feels that these positions best represent the most productive and business oriented direction regarding these issues.

Support

Amendment 59 – Education Funding & Tabor Rebates (Constitutional)

Would repeal Amendment 23 which mandates automatic P-12 spending increases while removing the revenue caps of TABOR and channeling TABOR excess revenue to the State Education Fund with 10% of revenue going to a “rainy day” account for P12.

Referendum O-Citizen-Initiated State Laws (Constitutional)

Would raise threshold for amending the state’s constitution via the initiative process and make it easier for citizens to do statutory initiatives.

Oppose

Amendment 47-Right to Work (Constitutional)

Would prohibit employers from terminating employees for refusing to join a union or pay unions dues

Amendment 49-Union Deductions (Constitutional)

Would prohibit state/local government employees from using automatic payroll deductions to benefit unions/political motivated groups.

Amendment 52-Severance Tax for Transportation (Constitutional)

Would cap existing severance tax revenue plus adjustment for inflation and earmark excess revenue above cap for state highways, especially I-70 improvements.

Amendment 53-Criminal Liability (Statutory) *

Exposes directors, executives and managers to expanded criminal liability for the activities of their Colorado business practices, including corporations, partnerships, sole-proprietorships and Colorado’s 19,000 nonprofit entities

Amendment 54-Campaign Contributions from Certain Government Contractors

Would prohibit sole source contractors of local and state governments from being able to contribute to a political party or candidate for the duration of the contract and 2 years thereafter.

Amendment 55-Just Cause (Constitutional) *

Would change Colorado’s “at-will” employment status to “just cause,” empowering contingency lawyers to pursue monetary damages on behalf of a client challenging whether their termination of employment resulted from a state-approved list of just causes.

Amendment 56-Mandatory Healthcare Coverage (Constitutional) *

Requires all businesses with 20 or more employees to provide full major medical health care benefits to every (full and part-time) employee and their dependents (employer must pay 80% and 70% of the costs, respectively).

Amendment 57-Safe Workplace (Statutory) *

A “double-dip” provision, enabling injured workers to sue employers for unlimited damages after collecting a workers’ compensation award.

* These measures were withdrawn by their union backers on October 2nd. The South Metro Chamber is proud to have taken a leadership role in opposing these measures and thanks Governor Ritter and the many who fought to preserve the peace.

For more information regarding these or other pertinent legislative issues or to join the LAC and automatically receive meeting notices and other legislative information, please e-mail Bart Sayyah bsayyah@bestchamber.com or call 303-795-0142.


	South Metro Chamber 2008 Initiatives Position Chamber Ballot Initiative Positions The South Metro Denver Chamber Board of Directors has voted on and approved the following positions on the 2008 ballot measures that will come before the voters in November. The Chamber feels that these positions best represent the most productive and business oriented direction regarding these issues. Support Amendment 59 – Education Funding & Tabor Rebates (Constitutional) Would repeal Amendment 23 which mandates automatic P-12 spending increases while removing the revenue caps of TABOR and channeling TABOR excess revenue to the State Education Fund with 10% of revenue going to a “rainy day” account for P12. Referendum O-Citizen-Initiated State Laws (Constitutional) Would raise threshold for amending the state’s constitution via the initiative process and make it easier for citizens to do statutory initiatives. Oppose Amendment 47-Right to Work (Constitutional) Would prohibit employers from terminating employees for refusing to join a union or pay unions dues Amendment 49-Union Deductions (Constitutional) Would prohibit state/local government employees from using automatic payroll deductions to benefit unions/political motivated groups. Amendment 52-Severance Tax for Transportation (Constitutional) Would cap existing severance tax revenue plus adjustment for inflation and earmark excess revenue above cap for state highways, especially I-70 improvements. Amendment 53-Criminal Liability (Statutory) * Exposes directors, executives and managers to expanded criminal liability for the activities of their Colorado business practices, including corporations, partnerships, sole-proprietorships and Colorado’s 19,000 nonprofit entities Amendment 54-Campaign Contributions from Certain Government Contractors Would prohibit sole source contractors of local and state governments from being able to contribute to a political party or candidate for the duration of the contract and 2 years thereafter. Amendment 55-Just Cause (Constitutional) * Would change Colorado’s “at-will” employment status to “just cause,” empowering contingency lawyers to pursue monetary damages on behalf of a client challenging whether their termination of employment resulted from a state-approved list of just causes. Amendment 56-Mandatory Healthcare Coverage (Constitutional) * Requires all businesses with 20 or more employees to provide full major medical health care benefits to every (full and part-time) employee and their dependents (employer must pay 80% and 70% of the costs, respectively). Amendment 57-Safe Workplace (Statutory) * A “double-dip” provision, enabling injured workers to sue employers for unlimited damages after collecting a workers’ compensation award. * These measures were withdrawn by their union backers on October 2nd. The South Metro Chamber is proud to have taken a leadership role in opposing these measures and thanks Governor Ritter and the many who fought to preserve the peace. For more information regarding these or other pertinent legislative issues or to join the LAC and automatically receive meeting notices and other legislative information, please e-mail Bart Sayyah bsayyah@bestchamber.com or call 303-795-0142.