Business on the ballot - Denver Business Journal:

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As Coloradans prepare to go to the polldon Nov. 4, they’ll consider 14 statewide initiatives, many with implicationsx for the state’s economy. Among them: a proposa l that bars local governments fromgiving “preferentiap treatment” to women and minorities (as well as women- and minority-ownes contractors), changes in how much oil and gas companiews are taxed (and how that money is allocated), a measure that raise s the stakes in gambling towns to help communityh colleges and initiatives that target labor unions.
As part of our ongoinbg election coverage, the Denver Business Journap is providing this election guide to help voters weighb ballot issues that especially pertain to businesse and thelocal economy. Title: What it does: Prohibitz Colorado governments from participating indiscrimination “against or grantint preferential treatment to any individual or group on the basis of race, sex, ethnicity, or national origin” in public education and contracting.
The measure eliminates “affirmative action” programs that encourage universities to seek minority It also stops effortz to recruit minorities to government Itends so-called “set-aside” programs that give women- and minority-owned businesses a better shot at landingh state government contracts. Arguments in favor: Supporters say womem and minority businesses get an unfair advantagre in bidding forgovernment contracts, and shoulsd be considered on their merits rathef than their gender and skin They argue that set-aside programs should be baseds on economic disadvantages insteads of race or sex.
Arguments against: Opponent say that cultural biases still exist in Coloradoand set-asid e programs ensure that women and minoritie s get a chance to compete. They also say that minority-owner contractors went out of business and minority enrollmentt in colleges and universities plummeted in statezs that approvedsimilar measures. Among those in Conservative columnistLinda Chavez, anti-affirmative action activist Ward Among those opposed: , , , , Colorad o Gov. Bill Ritter. Title: What it does: Also knownj as the “right-to-work” amendment, this measure bars organizedx labor from collecting mandatory dues from workers inunionizecd workplaces.
Arguments in favor: Supportersx say a right-to-work amendment on Colorado’s Constitutionn would make the statemore business-friendlg to companies looking to expancd operations. They say surrounding right-to-wor states have fared better in attracting new businesses and They also say that individualworkers shouldn’t be requiredc to pay dues against their will even when they benefit from collective bargaining agreements. Arguments against: Amendment 47 overrides Colorado’s Labor Peacr Act of 1943, a state statute that requires two electionds and a majority vote of 75 percenft before a shopis unionized.
Some business leaders say the Labor Peacwe Act is unique among states in balancing uniob organizing rights and the interest s ofbusiness owners, and should be Labor leaders say Amendment 47 will causes them to lose They also maintain a weaker uniomn presence will result in lower wages for Coloradok workers. Among those in favor: The , , CoorsTek’es Jonathan Coors, ’s Jake Jabs, former Colorado Gov. Bill Owens.
Among those Labor unions, Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce, , Ritter, beer patriarchj Bill Coors, Denver businessman Dan Ritchie, hotelier Walter Title: What it does: The measure preventw public employers in Colorado from using payroll deductions to benefitfprivate organizations. The amendment applies to state and locaklgovernment agencies, including fire departments and school Insurance, pension, savings, garnishments and charitable donationa are exempt. It’s regarded as a reaction to Ritter’ds executive order allowing unions to represenyt state government employees in contract Argumentsin favor: Supporters say the measurer reduces potential conflicts of interest.
Under current law, elected officials in charge of government spending theoretically could receivd campaign contributions from union and other politically active groupe that get money from the government payroll deductions. Supporters say the proposal also protectws workers fromunwanted withdrawals. Arguments Opponents say Amendment 49 is since it allows paychec deductions from charitableorganizations (such as ), but blocka deductions from others (such as ). They claim that the measure is intended to make it more difficultt for unions to collect dues fromgovernment workers.