While Democrats in the state legislature voted against a bill Tuesday that sought to help implement a statewide database of sole-source government contracts, a local Democrat is bucking the trend of his party by calling for more transparency and competition.
COLORADO'S FRONTPAGE
Face the State
Content Index: Amendment 54
Follow this topic by RSSFollowing injunction, Buescher halts Amd. 54 rulemaking
A Face the State Staff Report
August 6, 2009In response to a July court ruling suspending enforcement of Amendment 54's political contribution ban, Secretary of State Bernie Buescher, a Democrat, terminated the rulemaking process aimed at establishing enforcement mechanisms under the measure. The court's injunction comes ahead of a full hearing on the amendment's constitutionality.
7/2: Amendment 54 worth keeping
Amendment 54 is on life support, but this patient deserves resuscitation.
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Sole-source contract reporting up, but Amendment 54 hangs in limbo
A Face the State Staff Report
June 29, 2009Despite a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the voter-approved Amendment 54, reporting of no-bid government contracts - a requirement under the disputed law - has increased.
Aurora City Councilman Beer argues against sole-source contracts
February 4, 2009Democrats vote against transparency
A Face the State Staff Report
February 4, 2009Democrats have once again thumbed their nose at transparency Tuesday as the House State Affairs Committee defeated a bill on a near party line vote that would have aided in the implementation of the voter-approved Amendment 54, which requires the creation of a searchable database listing the recipients of no-bid government contracts over $100,000.
State records: Only 5 contractors have reported under Amendment 54
A Face the State Staff Report
January 29, 2009In the face of a new lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of Amendment 54, state Rep. Kent Lambert, R-Colo. Springs, is moving forward with House Bill 1165, legislation that would enable the implementation of parts of the statewide transparency measure. Holders of sole-source government contracts are responsible for reporting contract information to the state, but to date, only 5 vendors have done so.
Controversial Amendment 54 implementation now underway
A Face the State Staff Report
January 23, 2009The House State Affairs Committee will consider a bill next week that would establish funding for a state database of sole-source government contracts, as required through November's voter-approved Amendment 54.
11/19: Grueskin, the sore loser
What to do when you lose at the ballot box? Sue the victor, of course!
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11/7: The citizen's initiative at work
There were ten citizen-initiated questions on the ballot, yet only two passed. What lessons did we learn about Colorado voters?
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Denver firefighters union may have violated campaign finance laws
A Face the State Staff Report
November 3, 2008Proponents of Amendment 54 are alleging that a Denver firefighters union has violated campaign finance laws by funding opposition materials without providing necessary disclosures to the Secretary of State.
Segment 4 - Denver Firefighters violate campaign finance law
Tom Lucero, CU Regent and campaign manager for Amendment 54, has filed a campaign finance complaint alleging violations by the Denver Firefighters small donor committee. He also discusses the Amendment's potential impact and the campaign's progress to date.
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"The Buzz" on Newstalk 1310 KFKA, 10/27 - Colorado Concern and Amd. 54
October 27, 2008
Face The State managing editor Brad Jones visits with Newstalk 1310 KFKA's Amy Oliver. An internal fundraising memo obtained by Face The State indicates Colorado Concern, the statewide "pro-business" group, has redoubled its efforts toward defeating Amendment 54. What does this last-minute appeal for cash say about the Nov. 4 election?
Memo: Business group shifts campaign toward defeating Amendment 54
A Face the State Staff Report
October 27, 2008
Colorado Concern, the business group which joined forces with a labor coalition to oppose three initiatives on the November ballot, has "refocused its attention" to defeating Amendment 54, according to an internal fundraising memo obtained by Face The State.
Initiative campaigns' final pitch for your vote
A Face the State Staff Report
October 21, 2008Mail-in ballots have been trickling back to County Clerks' offices, and early voting began Monday with record turnout. Face the State gave each of 10 remaining ballot initiatives the opportunity to write a short column explaining why voters should support or oppose each measure.
Political Cartoon for 10/21: Tapia and Amendment 54
Face The State Humor
October 21, 2008
An advertisement supportive of Amendment 54, which seeks to provide more transparency and accountability for government no-bid contracts, has made state Sen. Abel Tapia its prime example of why reform is needed. His contracts, dating back to 1999, would have been plainly disclosed under a new, statewide database mandated by the amendment.
Amendment 54: Tapia poster boy for bad behavior
October 16, 2008
Clean Government Colorado launched its first TV ad this week and made Sen. Abel Tapia, D-Pueblo, the poster boy for why Amendment 54 is needed in Colorado.
Does Ritter help or hurt when he comes out against an initiative?
A Face the State Staff Report
October 13, 2008
In the last two weeks, Gov. Bill Ritter has publicly come out against two ballot proposals, worked behind the scenes to knock a few more off the ballot, and has continued to serve as a key spokesman for another. And now with recent polls showing the Democrat's approval ratings at under 50 percent, his diluted stamp of approval is being dismissed by his political opponents.
Unions make business community an offer it can't refuse
A Face the State Staff Report
October 3, 2008
Union bosses struck a deal with members of the business community Thursday, agreeing to pull four measures from the ballot in an act some liken to extortion.
"The Buzz" on Newstalk 1310 KFKA, 9/29 - No deal after all on "poison pill" amendments?
September 29, 2008Face The State managing editor Brad Jones talks with Newstalk 1310 KFKA's Amy Oliver about the back-room negotiations between Colorado Concern, Gov. Bill Ritter and the state's largest labor unions. Sources tell Face The State a deal, once thought to have been agreed upon, is unraveling amidst critical media attention.
FTS sources: Union-business deal falls through
A Face the State Staff Report
September 28, 2008Colorado business leaders have been working behind the scenes to strike a deal with organized labor that would remove four economically devastating union-backed amendments from the ballot in exchange for millions from the business community. But according to inside sources, the negotiations are being derailed by media attention and political pressure.
Blake fallout hinders union fundraising effort
A Face the State Staff Report
September 25, 2008News reports by The Rocky Mountain News and Denver Post exposing a backdoor deal between organized labor and business "leaders" have forced Joe Blake, president of the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce, to publicly distance himself from what opponents are calling an "unholy alliance."
Amendment 54 ad
September 23, 2008In response to alleged backroom political deals between the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce and union bosses, Amendment 54 is launching a strongly worded ad that calls the collaboration an “unholy alliance.”
Union rep skips televised debate
A Face the State Staff Report
September 21, 2008
KBDI Channel 12 has been playing host to a series of debates about Colorado’s 14 ballot initiatives, giving both sides of each issue a chance to meet face-to-face. But Monday night's shows will feature an empty chair where Jess Knox, executive director of Protect Colorado’s Future, would have sat. Knox pulled out of two "Colorado Decides" debates, taped Friday, leaving producers no time to seek an alternative representative.
Political Cartoon for 9/19: Appeasement, chamber style
Face The State Humor
September 19, 2008
Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce president Joe Blake is deeply involved in negotiations with Gov. Bill Ritter and bosses of the state's biggest unions. Will Blake sell out the business community in a pact with big labor? Before following through, he may want to study up on how well appeasement worked for British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain.
Campaigns vie for coveted TV ad space
A Face the State Staff Report
September 16, 2008With a November ballot that will see 18 different constitutional questions, a contentious U.S. Senate race, and a presidential race now polling within the margin of error, state and local races are left to figure out how to best reach voters. The smartest way, according to Colorado campaign experts, is also the most expensive: TV advertisements.