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Another initiative made the November ballot Thursday, the proposal that would prohibit deduction of union dues from government workers’ paychecks.
The measure will be listed on the ballot as Amendment 49, joining numbers 46 (ban on affirmative action), 47 (right to work) and 48 (life begins at conception).
Proponents of 49 turned in 126,874 signatures. The secretary of state’s office examined a random sample of 6,344 (the standard practice), determined 4,389 were valid and so projected that a total of 87,771 would be valid. The required number this year is 76,047.
Amendment 49 is one of several ballot measures involved in this year’s ballot catfight between business and labor. (See story about the ones that affect education.)
A dues check off ban has long been a goal of the Independence Institute, which believes that government payroll departments shouldn’t have to collect dues that are used partly for political purposes. (Some observers note that the GOP-leaning institute has an interest in blunting the political power of unions, which usually support Democrats.) The measure and others also are seen as a reaction to Gov. Bill Ritter's executive order giving greater organizing power to state employees.
Another proposal, Initiative No. 59, would have the effect of limiting union campaign contributions. It’s still in the signature-gathering process.
Colorado teachers unions are allied with other labor groups in opposing such measures. The umbrella opposition group, Protect Colorado’s Future, so far has amassed a bigger war chest than proponents.
A number of other initiatives affecting education also are still in the signature-gathering process. They include No. 126, the TABOR-Amendment 23 reform; No. 113, the Colorado Promise Scholarships; and No. 121, which would funnel new gambling revenues to community colleges.
The final deadline for submitting signatures is Aug. 4.
There also are four legislative referenda on the ballot, including Referendum O, which would set higher signature and other requirements for initiatives.
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