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Sept. 16, 2000 The November general ballot will feature a plethora of proposed amendments (12) to the Colorado Constitution, certified this week by the Secretary of State’s office. So far, Amendments 21 (for tax cuts) and 24 (for growth controls) have drawn the most attention, but voters will also be making decisions on 10 other proposals. What follows is a brief description of each one and of three local ballot questions. Up until the Nov. 7 election the Journal will be further analyzing the issues affecting this region.
AMENDMENTS Medical Use of Marijuana: Amendment 20 seeks voter approval to allow patients diagnosed with serious illness the right to legally possess marijuana for medical purposes. For a patient unable to administer marijuana to himself or herself, or for minors under 18, caregivers determine the amount and frequency of use. Under the proposal a doctor could legally provide a seriously ill patient with a written statement that the patient might benefit from the use of marijuana. It would also establish a confidential state registry of patients and their caregivers permitted to possess marijuana for medical purposes. Tax Cuts: Amendment 21 proposes to cut taxes funding basic local and state services by $25 per year, including for property, income, utility and vehicle taxes. The reduction would continue until the tax and the services paid by the tax are eliminated or until the services are paid for in some other way. It also requires that a husband and wife each receive tax cuts that affect state income taxes. Background Checks at Gun Shows: Amendment 22 requires background checks if any part of a gun purchase takes place at a gun show with the exception of antique guns, curios and relics. It requires a designated licensed gun-dealer to obtain background checks and to keep records of purchases as he or she would when selling, renting or exchanging at retail. The amendment defines a gun show as any event or function where 25 or more guns are offered or exhibited for sale, transfer, or exchange guns and it creates misdemeanor penalties punishable by jail, fines or both, Funding for Public Schools: Amendment 23 proposes more funding for schools based on inflation rates plus one percentage point for the next ten years. It would also set aside a portion of the state’s income-tax revenue into a state education fund. The fund would be exempt from spending limits, therefore limiting tax refunds when excess revenue exists, and it would require school aid under the finance act to increase by 5 percent annually. Voter Approval of Growth: Amendment 24 requires voter approval of growth maps that identify areas for future development in counties, cities and towns of certain populations. Impacts of growth must also be provided to affected communities, and development could only occur in already-established areas that meet certain infrastructure qualifications, such as proximity to sewer and water lines. Requirements for Consent to Abortion: Amendment 25 would require that a doctor or licensed health-care professional working with a doctor present specific information to a woman before an abortion. It would require a 24-hour waiting period between the time the information is provided and an abortion is performed, except in cases of medical emergency. The amendment also requires the woman to certify, in writing, that she was provided the information; requires the state to publish and annually update an informational packet and videotape, and creates criminal penalties and civil remedies for violation the provisions of the proposal. Property Tax Reduction for Senior Citizens: Referendum A would reduce property taxes for qualified senior citizens by exempting up to one-half, but not to exceed $100,000, of the value of a home from property taxation. The property-tax reduction would be available to persons 65 years of age or older who have owned and lived in their homes for the preceding 10 years. Also, the referendum requires the state to reimburse local governments for any property-tax revenue reduction resulting from this proposal and excludes the state reimbursement to local governments from state and local spending limits. Legislative Reapportionment Timetable: Referendum B proposes to revise the timetable for redrawing and approving state Senate and House districts. Currently the entire legislative reapportionment process runs from July 1 to the following March 15. This proposal permanently changes this timetable by moving up the start of the process to April 15, allowing additional time for certain steps in the process. Selection of County Surveyors: Referendum C adds the option of appointing a county surveyor to the existing requirements that surveyors be elected and allows the state legislature to determine when and how the county surveyor position is to be elected or appointed. Outdated Constitutional Provisions: Referendum D strikes references to one-time events that have already occurred and to public offices that no longer exist, and removes provisions that have expired or are outdated. Multi-State Lotteries: Referendum E proposes to make multi-state lotteries legal in Colorado and authorizes the state to enter into such agreements. It distributes most new lottery revenues in the same way that current lottery revenues are now, but reallocates a portion from general government purposes to alleviate public school health and safety hazards. The referendum also would exempts revenue from multi-state lotteries from state revenue and spending limits. Excess State Revenue for Math and Science Grants: Referendum F would allow the state to keep and spend the first $50 million in excess of the state’s constitutional revenue limit for each of the next five years (up to $250 million total); specifies that these moneys be used to distribute grants to school districts for math and science programs; creates a 16-member review committee to administer the program and to award grants to school districts; gives priority to low-income and poorly performing school districts, and to programs with the greatest potential for improving academic performance in math and science. Excludes the money in the proposal from state and school district spending limits and reduces taxpayer refunds. COUNTY BALLOT Three local proposals will also be on the ballot in Montezuma County. They are as follows. Permission to Opt Out of Amendment 24: If it passes, the Montezuma County Commission is asking voters if they want to opt out of the requirements set forth in the so called Controlled Growth amendment. If voters agree to, the county would be exempt from the proposed Amendment 24 rules until the county population reached 25,000, at which point the regulations governing voter-approved growth maps for development would stand, assuming the initiative passes. Re-1 Mill-Levy Continuation: The school district is asking voter permission to continue a mill-levy increase used to expand the Cortez Middle School and set to expire this year. They are requesting that a mill-levy of 5.0 continue for three more years in order to directly fund (without debt service) special building and technology needs for the 3,350 student school district. Total collected if the measure passes would be $2.7 million spread out over three years, after which the mill would sunset. Term Limits: Voters will be asked if they want Montezuma County officials to be relieved of term limits they are now subjected to. |
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