A
public interest scorecard released today by CoPIRG tracks the votes of
Colorado state Representatives and Senators on key issues concerning
the environment, consumer protection, and good government. The votes
covered such issues as privacy of medical records, chemical discharges
in Colorado waterways, and responsible growth measures.
In
the 2001 session, the legislature passed measures to protect the
privacy of Department of Motor Vehicles records and to make it easier
for insurance companies to do business in rural areas. They also
defeated numerous attempts to weaken the citizen initiative process.
"The
legislature has made some good first steps to protect privacy and
should make this issue a priority in the coming session," said Matt
Baker, CoPIRG Executive Director.
However,
the legislature failed to pass measures to responsibly manage growth,
fund alternative transportation, or protect citizens from "SLAPP"
suits. In addition, they weakened the state's clean water act by
waiving the requirement that major dischargers of polluting chemicals
renew their permits and allow citizen comment on pollution levels.
The
Mind of Colorado report compiled by the University of Colorado at
Denver suggests that some of these actions are out of step with public
opinion. The survey shows that increasing funding for public
transportation was one of a few issues that scored high marks with
respondents from both political parties, with 83% support overall.
Further, seven out of ten respondents support requiring cities and
counties to plan and to limit development outside of designated urban
service areas.
The
legislature failed to pass meaningful growth management legislation
despite the fact that the state is under tremendous growth pressures
and the people support strong growth management measures. "Unmanaged
growth is threatening the high quality of life that makes Colorado such
a desirable place to live, said Ann Livingston, Land Use Attorney at
CoPIRG. " Yet the legislature failed to pass a meaningful growth
management bill due to pressures exerted by powerful development
interests."
More
money is currently flowing into state races than at any point in
history. In 2000, $3,086,884.16 was raised, and $2,456,960.19 was spent
in state legislative races. Further, according to a May 8 Denver Post
article, development interests earmarked $278,668 to spend on lobbyists
who focused on growth legislation.
"CoPIRG's
scorecard is one tool citizens can use to find out how their
legislators voted on key issues," said Baker. The average ranking on
the scorecard was 52% in the House, 60% in the Senate.
