Colorado's ballot for November 2008 contains 10 amendments and four referenda. Four amendments (53, 55, 56 and 57) have been withdrawn, but remain on the ballot. To help you make up your mind, here is a full list of the ballot initiatives. The amendments contain links to websites or editorials on either side of the issue.
Amendments
- Amendment 46: Prohibition on Discrimination and Preferential Treatment
This ballot initiative bans affirmative action across the state of Colorado.
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- Amendment 47 Prohibition on Mandatory Labor Union Membership and Dues
This ballot initiative bans closed-shop unions, which are unions that require all employees to join.
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- Amendment 48 Definition of a Person
This amendment defines a person as a fertilized egg, which could have far-reaching consequences for women's health.
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- Amendment 49 Limitation on Government Paycheck Deductions
The ballot initiative would prevent unions from deducting dues from government employees through automatic payroll deductions.
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- Amendment 50 Expanded Gambling
The amendment would allow Colorado casinos to increase the maximum bet from $5 to $100, with 78% of the proceeds to go to community colleges.
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- Amendment 51 Sales Tax Increase for Services for People with Developmental Disabilities
The ballot initiative would increase sales tax from 2.9% to 3.1% over two years to fund programs for the developmentally disabled.
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- Amendment 52 Use of Severance Tax Revenue for Highways
The ballot initiative would allocate funds for transportation from severance taxes instead of fuel taxes, but would divert money from water infrastructure.
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- Amendment 53
Withdrawn. The amendment will still appear on the ballot, but votes will not be counted.
- Amendment 54 Campaign Contributions from Certain Government Contractors
The amendment would prevent state contractors from donating to political campaigns, but would also affect union donations.
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- Amendment 55
Withdrawn. The amendment will still appear on the ballot, but votes will not be counted.
- Amendment 56
Withdrawn. The amendment will still appear on the ballot, but votes will not be counted.
- Amendment 57
Withdrawn. The amendment will still appear on the ballot, but votes will not be counted.
- Amendment 58 Tax Increase — Severance Taxes on the Oil and Natural Gas Industry
The amendment would prevent repeal a tax subsidy for oil and gas companies that has been in place for 30 years.
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- Amendment 59 Education Funding and Ending TABOR Rebates
The ballot initiative would amend TABOR to increase funding for education by no less than the amount of inflation each year.
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Referenda
- Referendum L Age Qualification for Serving in the Legislature
The ballot initiative would lower the required age from 25 to 21 for serving in the Colorado general assembly.
Voters Said: No
- Referendum M & N Obsolete Constitutional Provisions
Both these referenda would repeal obsolete language in the constitution, one regarding land value increases and one regarding intoxicating liquors.
Voters Said: Yes
- Referendum O Rule Changes for Citizen-Initiated Constitutional and Statutory Measures
The ballot inititiative would require more signatures for ballot initiatives.
Voters Said: No
