July 3, 2008
Labor Coalition Circulating Ballot Petitions
The Rocky Mountain News
By Joanne Kelley, Rocky Mountain News
May 13, 2008
A labor-backed coalition called Protect Colorado’s Future will begin collecting signatures downtown just after noon today in an attempt to get two initiatives on the ballot this fall.
The group, which has received more than $1.5 million in campaign funding from large unions and individuals, is pushing a measure aimed at curbing corporate fraud and another that would require employers to prove they have reasonable “cause” for firing workers. The coalition said its own polls have shown overwhelming support among voters for both measures.
“Coming on the heels of the recent court decision to reverse a high-profile corporate fraud case against five former Qwest executives, the corporate fraud ballot initiative would make Colorado the toughest state in the country for corporate criminals,” Protect Colorado’s Future said in a statement.
The coalition also has been working to craft a strategy for fighting a competing ballot measure that already has enough signatures to qualify for November’s ballot. Known as the “right-to-work” initiative, it would outlaw all-union agreements between companies and workers. Current state law allows workers to vote on whether they want all employees to pay for union representation.
Protect Colorado’s Future said it planned to start its signature drive across the street from 1600 Broadway. The building houses the offices of the Colorado Association of Commerce and Industry, a key supporter of making Colorado the 23rd “right-to-work” state. But stormy weather might force the signature launch event to be held inside at the State Capitol in House Committee Room 112.
July 2, 2008
Fund Board ballot issue advances
City Council approves first reading and two-question format
Steamboat Springs — City officials gave initial approval Tuesday to a two-part ballot issue that would ask voters whether to renew the city’s half-cent sales tax for education and, if so, whether to share its revenues with schools across Routt County.
