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Ballot issues to watch this election season

RBC | With just a few days to the general election, there are 11 statewide initiatives on the ballot, and one local question. We’re addressing the initiatives to watch that are likely to have the most impact on RBC.

TERM LIMITS (COUNTY ONLY)

Locally, voters have been asked whether to support term limits for elected county officials. The initiative sprang from a request by constituent Mike Sizemore and was approved by the county commissioners. It’s not the first time the county has been asked about term limits. A statewide vote in 1994 that resulted in limiting state officials to two terms spurred similar initiatives at the county level across the state.

According to the National Association of Counties (NACO), “in 1994, the state of Colorado amended the State Constitution to impose term limits on all county officials, giving individual counties the option to vote to remove them later if they saw fit.” In 1999, Rio Blanco County voters opted to remove term limits for all elected county officials. “Rural counties found it necessary to consider repealing term limits because they discovered that there were not enough qualified candidates either running or willing to run for office.”

Voters can decide on each elected office individually, meaning some offices could be subject to term limits (not retroactively) and others could not.


WOLVES

CO Proposition 114 regarding the reintroduction and management of gray wolves to the state has been a sharp point of contention between hunting and agricultural interests and environmentalists. At the end of the day, it may be a moot point, as evidence of the presence of gray wolves in the far northwest corner of the state was discovered by hunters and verified by Colorado Parks and Wildlife within the last year. If wolves have already migrated into the state and established a presence, how they are managed will be different than if they are artificially introduced to the area.


COLORADO RIVER WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT

Ballot Issue 7A seeks to raise the mill levy that supports the Colorado river district by 0.5 mills. The district, which represents the entire Colorado River watershed, including the White, is charged to protect Colorado’s share of the Colorado River. The district serves 15 Western Slope counties, including Rio Blanco, and promises 86% of the additional funds will go toward partnerships with water users and communities within the District project identified by local communities and Basin Roundtables.

Proponents say funding the district is essential to protecting Western Slope water and water rights from increasing pressure from the Front Range and states to the west and southwest.

Opponents say plans for spending increased funds are “vague” and don’t guarantee protection of the watershed. Because of TABOR restrictions, the district has to have a vote of approval to raise the mill levy.


REPEAL THE GALLAGHER AMENDMENT (AMENDMENT B)

Younger voters have never known a Colorado without the Gallagher Amendment, added to the state constitution in 1982 to provide ongoing property tax relief to residential property owners by maintaining a 45-55% ratio between the amount of residential and non-residential property taxes. As residential property values have ballooned statewide, the Gallagher amendment has forced the state to reduce the residential property tax assessment repeatedly since 1982.

Currently, the residential rate is 7.15% (from 21% in 1982) and the non-residential rate is fixed at 29%. Because property taxes fund local government as well as essential services like fire departments, hospital districts and public schools, the reduced rate has forced many special districts to go back to voters repeatedly to request mill levy increases to make up for the property tax revenue they would have received without Gallagher in place. If the amendment is repealed, residential and non-residential tax rates would be frozen at their current rates for four years by statute.


TAX ON NICOTINE PRODUCTS

CO Proposition EE would tax the nicotine liquids used in e-cigarettes and other vaping products (currently not taxed), and would eventually increase the tobacco products tax by up to 22% of the manufacturers’ list price (MLP). The new total tobacco products tax which would be fully implemented by July 2027, would be 62% of the MLP (up from the current 42%).

Funding during the first three years would be directed to the state’s general fund and primarily used for K-12 education, rural schools, affordable housing development and eviction legal assistance. If passed, and if the funds are distributed as promised, the additional nicotine tax could help offset some of the so-called “negative factor” that limits rural school budgets.

Opponents say vaping is a way for smokers to quit using traditional cigarettes, and oppose taxes on products that are addictive.


PAID FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE PROGRAM

Proposition 118 would create a paid family and medical leave insurance program that would provide partial wage replacement for up to 12 weeks a year for eligible employees taking time off for medical reasons or to provide care to family members. Premiums would be split between employers and employees and would begin in 2023. The initial premium is equal to 0.90% of the employee’s wages in the previous two years.

Proponents say Prop. 118 would protect employee jobs in the event they have to take medical or caregiving leave, and would help small businesses compete with large corporations who offer similar benefits.

Opponents say the $1.3 billion tax increase required employees to pay into a program they may never need or use, and cite the addition of almost 200 employees and a politically appointed director as additional reasons to oppose the proposition.


NATIONAL POPULAR VOTE

Proposition 113 seeks voter approval to remain in the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact, which would take effect when states with enough electoral votes to form a majority have joined the Compact. The National Popular Vote guarantees the presidency to the candidate who receives the most popular votes in all 50 states and ensures one person equals one vote in every Presidential election.

Opponents say doing away with the Electoral College system would give greater political power in Presidential elections to states with the highest populations and large metropolitan area


OTHER ISSUES

Other initiatives on the ballot include requiring voter approval for new government enterprises expected to generate fee revenue of more than $100 million in the first five years, a proposed ban on late-term abortions (after 22 weeks gestation), local voter approval of casino betting limits and games, and qualifications of electors that would change the 2018 rule wherein voters who will be old enough to vote in a general election can vote in the primary that year.


By Susan Greene — Colorado News Collaborative

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  • Jake Blazon at bat for the Meeker Cowboys. The MHS team brought home two wins against Olathe and lost two against the North Fork Miners. The location for this weekend’s games has not been announced due to weather and field conditions. Read the full story online at ht1885.com.
  • The 2024 Meeker High School boys basketball team held their awards banquet last week. Jace Mobley was named Player of the Western Slope League and all-conference, Ryan Sullivan all-conference, Jonathon Fitzgibbons all-conference, Ethan Quinn honorable mention all-conference, Jacob Simonsen honorable mention all conference. Mobley will play in All State games. Coach Klark Kindler was named Western Slope Coach of the Year. Left to right: Bryan Rosas, Simonsen, Quinn, Fitzgibbons, Mobley and Sullivan.
  • It's that time again! Another edition of great local news stories is 
🐰 Hopping 🐰 your way this morning! Catch up on everything thats 🐣 hatching 🐣 in Rio Blanco County this week.
Need a copy? Signing up is fast and easy! Visit our website at ht1885.com/subscribe to get a copy sent to your door every week! 
We appreciate all your continued support!
  • It’s getting late, do you know where your kids are? Read all the Rio Happenings for this week in print or online at ht1885.com.
  • Mormon crickets have hatched near Rangely. They were all sighted on BLM land north of Hwy. 64 near the junction of CR 96 and CR 1, down a dirt road near the Moffat County line.  The picture shown was taken yesterday by Mary Meinen from Rangely. She says the crickets are about the size of a ladybug (less than 1/2”). Some of them are actually yellow in color but most of them are darker. They are milling around and getting ready to start moving soon. Note: Photo is not to scale.
Rio Blanco County and the White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts are still asking for your help to identify additional hatch-outs of crickets so that control efforts can be put in place. The success of the program will highly depend upon local landowners and the public helping to locate crickets as soon as they hatch.  See last week’s paper for a list of ways to help or contact the County Weed & Pest District at 970-878-9670 or the Conservation District office at 970-878-9838 with any questions. Website: www.WhiteRiverCD.com
  • Read part three of the story of M.T. Streeter in this week’s edition of History Lessons! Find it in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
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Jake Blazon at bat for the Meeker Cowboys. The MHS team brought home two wins against Olathe and lost two against the North Fork Miners. The location for this weekend’s games has not been announced due to weather and field conditions. Read the full story online at ht1885.com.
Jake Blazon at bat for the Meeker Cowboys. The MHS team brought home two wins against Olathe and lost two against the North Fork Miners. The location for this weekend’s games has not been announced due to weather and field conditions. Read the full story online at ht1885.com.
6 hours ago
View on Instagram |
1/9
The 2024 Meeker High School boys basketball team held their awards banquet last week. Jace Mobley was named Player of the Western Slope League and all-conference, Ryan Sullivan all-conference, Jonathon Fitzgibbons all-conference, Ethan Quinn honorable mention all-conference, Jacob Simonsen honorable mention all conference. Mobley will play in All State games. Coach Klark Kindler was named Western Slope Coach of the Year. Left to right: Bryan Rosas, Simonsen, Quinn, Fitzgibbons, Mobley and Sullivan.
The 2024 Meeker High School boys basketball team held their awards banquet last week. Jace Mobley was named Player of the Western Slope League and all-conference, Ryan Sullivan all-conference, Jonathon Fitzgibbons all-conference, Ethan Quinn honorable mention all-conference, Jacob Simonsen honorable mention all conference. Mobley will play in All State games. Coach Klark Kindler was named Western Slope Coach of the Year. Left to right: Bryan Rosas, Simonsen, Quinn, Fitzgibbons, Mobley and Sullivan.
7 hours ago
View on Instagram |
2/9
It's that time again! Another edition of great local news stories is 
🐰 Hopping 🐰 your way this morning! Catch up on everything thats 🐣 hatching 🐣 in Rio Blanco County this week.
Need a copy? Signing up is fast and easy! Visit our website at ht1885.com/subscribe to get a copy sent to your door every week! 
We appreciate all your continued support!
It's that time again! Another edition of great local news stories is 🐰 Hopping 🐰 your way this morning! Catch up on everything thats 🐣 hatching 🐣 in Rio Blanco County this week. Need a copy? Signing up is fast and easy! Visit our website at ht1885.com/subscribe to get a copy sent to your door every week! We appreciate all your continued support!
13 hours ago
View on Instagram |
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It’s getting late, do you know where your kids are? Read all the Rio Happenings for this week in print or online at ht1885.com.
It’s getting late, do you know where your kids are? Read all the Rio Happenings for this week in print or online at ht1885.com.
2 days ago
View on Instagram |
4/9
Mormon crickets have hatched near Rangely. They were all sighted on BLM land north of Hwy. 64 near the junction of CR 96 and CR 1, down a dirt road near the Moffat County line.  The picture shown was taken yesterday by Mary Meinen from Rangely. She says the crickets are about the size of a ladybug (less than 1/2”). Some of them are actually yellow in color but most of them are darker. They are milling around and getting ready to start moving soon. Note: Photo is not to scale.
Rio Blanco County and the White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts are still asking for your help to identify additional hatch-outs of crickets so that control efforts can be put in place. The success of the program will highly depend upon local landowners and the public helping to locate crickets as soon as they hatch.  See last week’s paper for a list of ways to help or contact the County Weed & Pest District at 970-878-9670 or the Conservation District office at 970-878-9838 with any questions. Website: www.WhiteRiverCD.com
Mormon crickets have hatched near Rangely. They were all sighted on BLM land north of Hwy. 64 near the junction of CR 96 and CR 1, down a dirt road near the Moffat County line. The picture shown was taken yesterday by Mary Meinen from Rangely. She says the crickets are about the size of a ladybug (less than 1/2”). Some of them are actually yellow in color but most of them are darker. They are milling around and getting ready to start moving soon. Note: Photo is not to scale. Rio Blanco County and the White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts are still asking for your help to identify additional hatch-outs of crickets so that control efforts can be put in place. The success of the program will highly depend upon local landowners and the public helping to locate crickets as soon as they hatch. See last week’s paper for a list of ways to help or contact the County Weed & Pest District at 970-878-9670 or the Conservation District office at 970-878-9838 with any questions. Website: www.WhiteRiverCD.com
2 days ago
View on Instagram |
5/9
Read part three of the story of M.T. Streeter in this week’s edition of History Lessons! Find it in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
Read part three of the story of M.T. Streeter in this week’s edition of History Lessons! Find it in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
3 days ago
View on Instagram |
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Meeker FFA Chapter members competed at the District Leadership Development Event in Craig, Colorado, this month. Top row from left to right: Eva Scritchfield, Charlie Rogers, Alan Rivera, Trent Sanders, Koy Weber, Orion Musser, Said Rodriguez, Carlos Carrillo, Aidan Tapia, Hayden Garcia, Tristan Rollins, Mathew Willey, Quentin Simpson. Middle row: Sidney Keetch, Aurora Stallings, Sydnie Ross, Ava Nay, Lili Piper, Leah Wood. Bottom Row: Jaicee Simmons, Kailynn Watson, Cody Richardson, Kayla Castillo, Braydin Raley, Autumn Stallings, Aimee Shults, Emily Hamm. Read the full story online at ht1885.com.
Meeker FFA Chapter members competed at the District Leadership Development Event in Craig, Colorado, this month. Top row from left to right: Eva Scritchfield, Charlie Rogers, Alan Rivera, Trent Sanders, Koy Weber, Orion Musser, Said Rodriguez, Carlos Carrillo, Aidan Tapia, Hayden Garcia, Tristan Rollins, Mathew Willey, Quentin Simpson. Middle row: Sidney Keetch, Aurora Stallings, Sydnie Ross, Ava Nay, Lili Piper, Leah Wood. Bottom Row: Jaicee Simmons, Kailynn Watson, Cody Richardson, Kayla Castillo, Braydin Raley, Autumn Stallings, Aimee Shults, Emily Hamm. Read the full story online at ht1885.com.
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View on Instagram |
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Choose-your-own-adventure…. Hear from our Editor in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
Choose-your-own-adventure…. Hear from our Editor in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
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View on Instagram |
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A crew from the Flat Tops Chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation joined forces last summer to remove obsolete fences to improve habitat for wildlife. Read the full story and the foundation’s update from their 30th Anniversary meeting in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
A crew from the Flat Tops Chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation joined forces last summer to remove obsolete fences to improve habitat for wildlife. Read the full story and the foundation’s update from their 30th Anniversary meeting in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
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