The OCW’s Take on State Ballot Referenda

Last week the OCW published endorsements of all the 2008 ballot initiatives (except for one – we were testing you to see who was paying attention). This week we finalize our coverage of state ballot issues with our take on the remaining initiative, Amendment 54, as well as the four referenda, items that were referred to the citizens by the state legislature.

Amendment 54: Questionable Attempt at Campaign Finance Reform – Indifferent

This is one of three amendments that labor and business groups, including the amendment’s own sponsors, have joined forces to defeat. It reads as campaign ethics reform, but the amendment would impact labor unions, including most of the state’s teachers, and public service workers such as firemen and police from making campaign contributions. Companies providing no-bid contracts would also be barred. Labor and progressive groups who oppose the amendment have put forth claims that the amendment includes loopholes for multi-national corporations, as well as for energy and drug companies, but these claims were found to be false in an analysis by the Rocky Mountain News. An editor’s motto: When in doubt, cut it out.

Referendum L: Lower Age Requirement for Congressional Service – Indifferent

Referendum L simply lowers the age requirement for serving in the state legislature from 25 to 21. The existing age requirement was created by the state constitution in 1876. We would argue that the social realities of 1876 produced greater maturity, if not sophistication, at age 25 than what is seen now in Colorado, where most young adults, and many older ones, tend to be more concerned with skiing and beer than with the realities of running a state government. However, we don’t feel strongly enough about the subject to make an endorsement either way.

Referendum M: Housekeeping – Good

This measure would remove a law that provides tax breaks for private landowners who plant orchards and forests on their land. The law has been superseded by newer ones that perform a similar function, so the legislature wants to get rid of this old piece of writing.

Referendum N: Getting Rid of Outdated Laws Regarding Alcohol – Good

More housekeeping. The state constitution and statutes contain laws regarding the manufacture, import, sale, and quality of alcohol, as well as the operation of saloons. All of these laws have been superseded by the U.S. Constitution or by newer state laws. The only argument for keeping these laws, and thus saying no to this referendum, is for the purpose of historical research – not a good enough reason, in our opinion.

Referendum O: Citizen Initiated State Laws – Good

This measure would basically make it harder to get a constitutional amendment on the ballot, and easier to get a statutory amendment on. Considering nine of this year’s 10 ballot initiatives are proposed constitutional amendments, we could see where this referendum could be a good idea. The state constitution should be an enduring document, not the plaything of well-funded interest groups. State statutes are more flexible and should reflect the will of the people accordingly.