2014 Ballot Questions: Some are obviously bad (i.e., personhood). What think fellow DUers in CO?

[hlthe2b]

KUSA - This election year, Colorado voters will be faced with four ballot questions covering personhood, gambling at a horse racetrack, collective bargaining at school board meetings and labelling genetically modified foods.
-snip--
Amendment 67: Colorado Definition of Person and Child Initiative Enough said IMO

Amendment 68: Colorado Horse Racetrack Limited Gaming Proceeds for K-12 Education

The official ballot question is:

Shall state taxes be increased $114,500,000 annually in the first full fiscal year, and by such amounts that are raised thereafter by imposing a new tax on authorized horse racetracks' adjusted gross proceeds from limited gaming to increase statewide funding for K-12 education, and, in connection therewith, amending the Colorado Constitution to permit limited gaming in addition to pre-existing pari-mutuel wagering at one qualified horse racetrack in each of the counties of Arapahoe, Mesa, and Pueblo; authorizing host communities to impose impact fees on horse racetracks authorized to conduct limited gaming; allowing all resulting revenue to be collected and spent notwithstanding any limitations provided by law. and allocating the resulting tax revenues to a fund to be distributed to school districts and the charter school institute for K-12 education?

If passed, Amendment 68 would amend the Colorado Constitution to allow expanded gaming at horse racetracks in Arapahoe, Mesa, and Pueblo counties. Currently, there are no racetracks in Mesa or Pueblo counties, so the only current beneficiary of the amendment is the Arapahoe racetrack.

Proponents note that the Amendment would provide $114 million in taxes for education. A 9NEWS Truth Test noted that this figure is misleading; the amendment would bring in $82 million in new taxes in its first full year. Regardless, that money would be distributed to every school district on a per-pupil basis.

Opponents note that this amendment would directly benefit a single Rhode Island company, Twin River Worldwide Holdings, which owns the Arapahoe racetrack. Since the Arapahoe racetrack is the only one that would be allowed to have expanded gaming, Twin River Worldwide Holdings is the only company benefiting from this amendment. Furthermore, they note that local voters wouldn't be able to vote on the racetrack directly, or further restrict it later.

Proposition 104: Colorado School Board Open Meetings

Proposition 105: Colorado Mandatory Labeling of GMOs
The official ballot question is:

Shall there be a change to the Colorado Revised Statutes concerning labeling of genetically modified food; and, in connection therewith, requiring food that has been genetically modified or treated with genetically modified material to be labeled, "Produced With Genetic Engineering" starting on July 1, 2016; exempting some foods including but not limited to food from animals that are not genetically modified but have been fed or injected with genetically modified food or drugs, certain food that is not packaged for retail sale and is intended for immediate human consumption, alcoholic beverages, food for animals, and medically prescribed food; requiring the Colorado department of public health and environment to regulate the labeling of genetically modified food; and specifying that no private right of action is created for failure to conform to the labeling requirements?

http://www.9news.com/story/news/politics/elections/2014/09/12/2014-ballot-questions/15520013/

[fizzgig]

1. thanks for posting this

i didn't even have to think about 67, but still haven't made up my mind on 68. the money for schools is tempting, but it's a bit sketchy that only one company benefits from it.

104 seems hinkey to me. i don't know for sure, but i'm guessing the collective bargaining for police and firefighter unions aren't public and i'm wondering why there should be a different standard for teacher's unions.

105 is good in theory, but there's a lot that isn't defined by the amendment. like what do they consider GMO, what exactly is food meant for immediate consumption and what on earth is medically-prescribed food? i view that one as symbolic at best.

[El Supremo]

2. NO and NO!

The casino bill is a scam. I saw a presentation last week and they were nearly laughed out of the room. If school districts and the teachers union are not in favor of it, neither am I.

And let the FDA decide what to do with GMOs. I see nothing wrong with them.

[hlthe2b]

3. On the GMO issue, I would foresee a Federal injunction, should it pass--regardless.

[bluedigger]

4. No, no, no, and yes. n/t

[Greywing]

7. Ditto for me ... Impatiently waiting for my ballot

[politicat]

5. No, no, yes and ?

67 is easy. Why am I voting on this again? Isn't "gone down in flames 3 times" enough? It's not like this is a new test plane that will get us to Alpha Centuri in 6 days.

68: I object to gambling period. It's a tax on the innumerate, it is more damaging to those with limited means, and I don't believe that the people should profit off of addiction. (I am also the child of a gambling addict.) That said, I would object less if it was open to all comers, rather than being a gimme to a single corporation. Also, the numbers have been misleading. Yes, our schools are underfunded, but this isn't the way to do it. Having gone to excellent public schools and come home to repossessed cars, no electricity, and the like... I am not willing to make every child in the state a citizen of Omelas. Just because all would benefit doesn't mean that it is acceptable to increase the suffering of a few.

104: really? This should have already been the case.

ETA: hang on. Having now read the text of the proposal (haven't gotten the blue book yet)... All school board meetings should be open, yes. School boards should absolutely not be making policy without public input. But since negotiations between the district and the suppliers of, say, toilet paper or lunches are not open, there is no reason that meetings between the district and the representation of the union should be open to the public. Policy is one thing. Process is another.

105: I honestly don't know. The entirety of modern ag is the product of genetic manipulation. Doing so with biochemistry is not inherently more hazardous. I'm honestly quite fond of modern broccoli, tomatoes and a world where 10% of every town doesn't starve come spring every year. That said, having a label that warns me of the presence of a GMO is merely more information, and it's not like people pay all that much attention to the current labeling as it is. That one may be a coin toss, or a leave blank.

[blondie58]

6. I have not really Studied them

But what gives RI the right to change our Constitution?
No on any personhood. It is just a Slippery Slope. My daughter is in the Hospital right now, Having her Second daughter.

And a big YES in rhe labeling. I am upset that they have even Been allowed. I buy ofganic, When i can, but i know my kids don't have the Money. I think about the Long Term affect in my Grandchildren.