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HomeMy WebLinkAboutR94-169 encouraging citizens to vote for amendment 15i Commissioner moved adoption of the following Resolut' n: BOARD OF COUNTY COUNTY OF EAGLE, STATE OF COLORADO RESOLUTION NO. 94 - Z6 �, ENCOURAGING THE CITIZENS OF EAGLE COUNTY TO VOTE FOR AMENDMENT 15 WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners ( "Board ") has reviewed Amendment 15; and WHEREAS, the Board is in favor of Amendment 15; and WHEREAS, the Board has determined that special interest groups make large contributions to candidates with the intention of influencing legislation to their own benefit. The high cost of seeking office increases the power and importance of special interest money. Contribution restrictions included in the measure will reduce the influence of special interests; and WHEREAS, oversight of campaign finance laws should be given to an independent commission. The Campaign and Political Finance Commission is designed to be as nonpartisan as possible. More than half of the states have created commissions to oversee campaign finance laws and ensure aggressive enforcement of the law. Change in campaign practices will not occur without aggressive enforcement of campaign finance laws; and WHEREAS, for truly competitive elections, the incumbent should have the same burden of campaigning as does the challenger. Incumbents now receive most of the campaign funding available from special interests. The initiative requires that all affected candidates gather 60 percent of their campaign contributions from individuals and prevents candidates from relying on "war chests ", (i.e., money held by incumbents left over from prior campaigns) or relying on special interest contributions. This 60 percent requirement will encourage numerous small contributions to candidates, rather than large lump sums from individuals or PACs, , i a and will reduce the influence of money left over from prior campaigns. Candidates will be forced to broaden their support base; and WHEREAS, comprehensive campaign contribution limits have not been enacted in Colorado. The proposed amendment to the Colorado Constitution should be enacted to put these provisions into the law and to ensure the permanence of campaign finance reform. Colorado is one of only seven states in the nation that imposes no limits on contributions to candidates. Because campaign finance has an important influence on public policy, it is critical that it be regulated in the public interest. Current Colorado law permits unlimited campaign contributions from individuals, candidates, a candidate's family, corporations, labor unions, PACs, and political parties. This proposal will put contribution limits in place for numerous state offices and diminish the influence of money in the electoral process; and WHEREAS, the measure includes provisions that will bring about fundamental change at the heart of Colorado politics. The low limits on contributions will force a different kind of political campaign for those offices that are affected. Candidates for office will be forced to spend much more time soliciting contributions from individuals, relying on volunteer workers, and contacting voters personally; and WHEREAS, voters who are fully aware of the campaign finance practices of candidates for public office may make better decisions in electing individuals to fill these offices. More frequent reporting of campaign contributions will cause the electorate to be better informed about the sources of funds for a candidate's campaign. The donations that are accepted by a candidate oftentimes make a statement about that candidate's political ideology. The reporting requirement for independent expenditures will allow the public and the affected candidate to know, in a timely manner, how independent expenditures will be spent. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF THE COUNTY OF EAGLE, STATE OF COLORADO: THAT, the Board believes that the passage of Amendment 15 is in the best interests of the citizens of Eagle County and the Board determines that it supports Amendment 15 and encourages the citizens of Eagle County to vote for Amendment 15. E MOVED, READ AND ADOPTED by the Board of County Commissioners of the County of Eagle, State of Colorado, at its regular meeting held the day of November, 1994. ATTEST: County Commissioners COUNTY OF EAGLE, STATE OF COLORADO, By and Through Its BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS By: hnnette Phil s, Ch irperson Commissioner seconded adoption of the foregoing resolution. The roll having been called, the vote was as follows: Commissioner Johnnette Phillip Commissioner James E. Johnson, Jr. Commissioner George A. Gates. This Resolution passed by vote of the Board of County Commissioners of the County of Eagle, State of Colorado. r \amend.15 3 eorge ' jy. Gds, Commissioner