2011 Ballot Issues
Move to Amend
Liz Payton read the following statement on behalf of the PLAN-Boulder board at the July 19, 2011 City Council meeting:
PLAN-Boulder County has a long history of concern with good government, especially the protection of self-government by the citizens, and therefore opposing excessive influence on our representative system, particularly by moneyed, unaccountable interests from outside the community. Hence, PLAN-Boulder supported our municipal public funding measure to level the playing field in local elections. The integrity of our elections at every level is of concern, and the egregious Citizens United decision by the Supreme Court is rapidly corrupting the political process from the national level to local ones by allowing corporate executives unlimited and unaccountable rights to spend corporate money in elections, often overwhelming the entire political process. Citizens United was an extreme case of ideologically-motivated legislating from the bench, overturning a century of legal precedent.
In this spirit, PLAN-Boulder County wholeheartedly endorses placing a Move-to-Amend referendum on our November ballot, so that citizens of Boulder can decide whether to support the nationwide movement to amend the U.S. Constitution that would reverse the Citizens United decision.
Capital Improvement Bonds
Ruth Blackmore read the following statement on behalf of the PLAN-Boulder board at the July 19, 2011 City Council meeting:
The PLAN-Boulder board voted unanimously to support the proposed issuance of bonds to help address the large backlog of City of Boulder infrastructure needs. PLAN-Boulder has heard compelling cases for improving facilities during several presentations by members of City boards and staff at PLAN-Boulder meetings. Several approved master plans -- for transportation, parks and recreation, libraries -- have identified the needs.
Max Taffet was a member of the Capital Investment Stakeholder Group and is on the PLAN-Boulder board. According to him, there was exemplary cooperation between City departments in developing the list of transportation, parks and recreation, library and other improvements. We are aware there can be controversies regarding source of funds and who gets a slice of the pie. Rather than be stalemated, we hope you go with the recommendation of the Stakeholder Group and put this before the voters this fall. This is the time to issue infrastructure bonds since funds are available, interest rates are relatively low and there is unemployment in the construction industry.
Muncipalization
Ruth Blackmore read the following statement on behalf of the PLAN-Boulder board at the July 19, 2011 City Council meeting:
PLAN-Boulder County supports the staff recommendation to put on the ballot this November two issues related to our energy future: a measure granting the city the authority to create a local utility and a measure extending and increasing the climate action plan tax. Though we appreciate Xcel’s wind farm proposal, the citizen’s analysis has shown that, because of curtailment requirements and other issues, the wind farm will not deliver as promised. In addition, Xcel is withholding the wind farm option unless a stand-alone, no-strings-attached, 20-year Xcel franchise agreement is also on the ballot. We urge you to reject Xcel’s demand – none of Boulder’s climate action goals would be addressed by such a ballot measure.
We also encourage you to add language to the ballot measure that reassures voters that the city has a decision framework with clear decision points and criteria for evaluating whether proceeding with municipalization is in the community’s best interest.
PLAN-Boulder has a 52 year history of advocating for the environment and has been instrumental in helping Boulder, Colorado become an environmental leader. We have been “acting locally” since long before the bumper sticker slogan became popular. We strongly believe that the city’s efforts to gain control of its energy future are aligned with PLAN-Boulder’s mission.
We are heartened that Boulder can embrace positive action, propelled by an engaged and motivated citizenry. It’s long past time for communities to assert control over their fossil fuel consumption. Where better to start than Boulder, Colorado? The country is watching.
We congratulate the council and city staff for their courage in taking this on. We acknowledge the hard work and leadership of the citizen volunteers of Clean Energy Action and RenewablesYes and we want to reassure them, council, and city staff that PLAN-Boulder will “have your back” so to speak, as we move through this historic moment together.
