Companies that win exclusive contracts with governments, as well as unions that represent government workers, would not be allowed to make political contributions under the proposed Amendment 54. The measure seeks to reduce the influence of any special interests on government, said Tom Lucero, campaign manager of Clean Government Colorado, which is backing the measure. "All Amendment 54 does is say that if you're going to have a no-bid government contract, you're going to be prohibited from giving," he said.
The ban on contributions would remain while the contract is in effect and for two years after it expires. The ban would extend to issue campaigns as well as candidates.
The measure also requires a public database that lists "sole source" contracts and their terms. The Colorado Department of Personnel and Administration would maintain the database and publish terms of such contracts when they're awarded. Rich Gonzales, director of personnel, said the proposal would require additional spending of up to $311,500 to build the database and as much as $137,000 a year for monitoring.
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Amendments 47, 49 and 54 "are bad and divisive for Colorado," said Jess Knox, campaign director for Protect Colorado's Future, which has raised more than $3.5 million to fight proposed amendments it says are thinly veiled attempts to disable unions. "It would prohibit our public employees from banding together and advocating for each other," he said.
Some contractors' political contributions are at stake
The paper said the measure was written by "associates of the Independence Institute," which is tied to Howie Rich through funding he gives to Colorado committees, according to the Colorado Independent.
Just like in South Carolina, funding for the measure is hidden by a nonprofit organization.
Clean Government Colorado has raised about $1.5 million to promote Amendment 54. All of that money has come through Colorado At Its Best, a nonprofit founded by Independence Institute fellow Dennis Polhill. But where the nonprofit's money is coming from isn't clear. Polhill, who helped pass amendments limiting terms for elected officials, declined to identify donors to the group. The lack of transparency, from a group pushing for more transparency from government, is unsettling, Knox said.
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Polhill said he was willing to accept criticism for the failure to disclose financial sources because he said his donors feared retribution.
The newspaper spelled out the Colorado ballot measure this way:
What Amendment 54 would do:
Prohibit contractors with no-bid, sole-source government contracts and unions representing teachers, firefighters, police and state workers from contributing to political campaigns during the term of the contract and for two years afterward.
* Who is for it: Clean Government Colorado
* The money behind it: $1.54 million, donated by a nonprofit that refuses to reveal its donors.
* Who opposes it: Protect Colorado's Future
* The money behind it: More than $6.67 million, raised largely from unions.
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