Jon Caldara, once named Colorado's best "media manipulator" by Westword, was in top form Monday as he sent a challenge to Democrat Gov. Bill Ritter from a Capitol press conference.
Caldara at Monday's press conferenceFTS Staff Photo
Caldara, the lead backer of Amendment 49 and president of the Independence Institute, offered to withdraw his ballot measure if Democrat Gov. Bill Ritter repeals an executive order from last year that implemented collective bargaining mandates on state employees.
“My hope is the Governor will take this seriously and consider it carefully,” Caldara said. If passed by voters this November, Amendment 49, known as Ethical Standards for Public Payroll Systems, would prevent private organizations from using public payroll systems to deduct dues directly from government employees’ paychecks.
According to Ritter spokesman Evan Dreyer, Ritter has denied Caldara’s offer. “The Governor and many people are working on a more comprehensive strategy that is based on helping the state’s economy and future,” Dreyer said. “Jon’s proposal feels more like a publicity stunt.”
The offer comes in light of news reports that Ritter is brokering a deal between the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce and union leaders to wipe four anti-business measures from the ballot if the business community raises a rumored $5 million to fight Amendments 47, 49 and 54, which are all considered anti-union. Caldara called the four union initiatives on the ballot a “blackmail” of the business community. Passage of just one of these initiatives, according to Caldara, has business leaders fearing of devastating effects on Colorado’s economy.