There is a lot to pay attention to on the ballots that just arrived in our mailboxes. An important amendment to consider is 74.
The language may sound like it was written to protect property owners, but let’s be clear – it was crafted by special interest groups to overwhelm our local governments with lawsuits and hamper local communities from creating and keeping much needed regulations.
Oil and gas corporations have invested millions of dollars into this measure so that they can have a free hand to sue and otherwise undermine our local governments. I don’t want our local funding for basic health and public services to be cut because we need to pay for these frivolous lawsuits. Nor do I want decisions about our drinking water, air and industrial activities to be controlled by the fear of impending lawsuits.
After a similar measure was passed in Oregon, the state was facing over $19 billion in claims and local governments were forced to pay out $4.5 billion in the first three years. Wisely, Oregon taxpayers ultimately got rid of this stranglehold on their local governments by passing a second ballot measure.
As a property owner, farmer and taxpayer, I will be voting NO on Amendment 74.
Kellie Pettyjohn
Mancos
