Adam Schrager hosted “Ballot Issues 101,” a series of several small debates about Colorado ballot initiatives at the Lamont School of Music Monday from 1 to 4 p.m.
The event was filmed to be played, edited down for time, at a later date.
This year’s ballot consists of, “10 amendments brought forth by citizens and four referenda brought by state lawmakers,” Schrager said.
The event was not well attended by students, with members of the community making up most of the audience.
Mary Jean O’Malley, a student heavily involved in orchestrating the event, said, “It’s hard because it’s during the day.”
“Students are not excited about these ballot issues, but it’s an election year and students are very involved around campus,” O’Malley said.
Six initiatives were discussed with one proponent and one opponent speaking about each issue.
Schrager introduced each topic and interjected questions to get conversation rolling when necessary.
The first initiative discussed was Amendment 46, the Colorado Civil Rights Initiative. Jessica Corey argued for the amendment and Melissa Hart argued against it.
Proponents of the amendment would like to see
Andrew Romanoff argued for the amendment and Penn Pfiffner argued against it.
“If the government at the state or local level wants more money, it has to ask,” Romanoff said,
Pfiffner said, “This could be the largest tax increase in history.”
“If you vote for Amendment 59, and you should not, you give them a blank check,” Pfiffner continued.
Amendment 47 was the final initiative discussed. It is known as the right to work amendment.
Ryan Frazier argued for the amendment and Jess Knox argued against it.
Frazier argued to extend rights to all workers. “You may not be a union member, but you will have to pay union dues. And if you do not, you risk your employment.”
Knox said that, “It’s advocating a solution to a problem that does not exist.”
The program, edited down to one hour, will air Thursday at 7 p.m. on My20 and Saturday at 6 p.m. on 9news, and will be available unedited online at 9news.com.
