Referendum E: A referendum that extends the senior property tax break to disabled veterans.

Taxes, especially property taxes, must apply equally in order to keep them low. When politicians carve out different groups (like seniors, etc) from the tax, it makes it easier for them to raise taxes because there are fewer to object. This is unfair to those who wind up bearing the burden in the end.

Referendum F: A referendum that removes recall timelines from the Colorado Constitution.

Note:  Rand's opinion has changed from SUPPORT to OPPOSE, 9/14.

It seems to me that if the voters need to remove a bad elected official, that there should be no restrictions on when this can be done.  Unfortunately, this referendum does not remove recall limitations entirely, and worse--it places them at the whim of statutory law rather than to be governed by the state constitution.  So, no to this wolf in sheep's clothing.

Referendum G: A referendum that changes obsolete Constitutional provisions

The only substantive change here is the "militia duty exemption fee," and the other changes are not substantive changes to the constitution. I oppose this call to amend the constitution because it does effectively nothing.

Referendum H: A referendum that eliminates state business tax deductions for employers who can't verify their employees are U.S. citizens.

This is only a political "feel good" referendum, which adds a line to the tax form. If a business has an expense in the course of doing business, that money should not be treated as profit or income.

Referendum I: A referendum that provides same-sex couples the opportunity to attain the legal protections and responsibilities granted to married couples by Colorado law. It specifies that a domestic partnership is not similar to a marriage.

Absurd! Why do we need MORE laws? If the "legal protections and responsibilities granted to married couples" are to be retained (and they should not), simply allow that in some cases the marriage is between a couple of the same sex. Referendum I is the wrong way to go about making things fair.

Referendum J: A referendum that requires school districts to spend a portion of their budgets on certain operations.

So long as we must have government-run schools, at least allow the local school districts to determine their budget allocation based on local priorities. We do not need the state legislature to be involved at this level, and not in this draconian across-the-board manner.

Referendum K: A referendum that authorizes the state attorney general to sue the federal government to demand enforcement of federal immigration laws.

This is another political feel-good measure that will cost $200,000 per year in attorney fees and accomplish nothing. We have representatives in the house and senators in the senate, they are in a much better position to affect change, if change is what we want.

Amendment 38: An amendment that makes it easier for citizens to propose initiatives at all levels of state and local government.

The right of the citizens to petition shall not be infringed. From the blue book: "In the past ten years, roughly 76 percent of enacted state laws could not be challenged by voters because they contained a safety clause. Amendment 38 limits the number of laws that may be exempted from possible challenge."

Amendment 39: An amendment similar to Referendum J, that puts requirements on school district spending.

Let the local school districts to determine their budget allocation based on local priorities. We do not need the state legislature to be involved at this level.

Amendment 40: An amendment that limits terms that Colorado Supreme Court and Court of Appeals judges can serve.

A bit more turnover of judges can only be a good thing. Especially now that we know the court will not strike down unconstitutional statutes such as Ref. C.

Amendment 41: Among other things this amendment, bans public employees from accepting meals, sporting tickets and other freebies worth $50 or more.

We all want to limit the likelihood that lobbyist gifts or perks will affect how our public officials do their jobs. But because elected officials are already held accountable to voters, I think that all the cost of this new ethics committee will not be worth the price. And it would certainly be politically biased. So, no.

Amendment 42: An amendment that raises the minimum wage from $5.15 per hour to $6.85 per hour for most workers, and makes annual adjustments for inflation.

There should be no minimum wage law. Any laws restricting free trade or commerce create unsatisfactory rifts throughout our economy. Let employers decide what they are willing to pay; let employees decide what they are willing to work for.

Amendment 43: An amendment that defines marriage in Colorado as only a union between one man and one woman.

The gay couples have shown to be constant in their lives together, as much or even more so than heterosexual couples. It's time to accept what must be true, that people of the same sex from time to time will marry. So the fix should not be "one man, one woman," but instead "two adult persons."

Amendment 44: An amendment that legalizes the possession of up to 1 ounce of marijuana by adults 21 years and older.

SAFER has been working hard in Colorado to achieve the goal of ending prohibition on the use and possession of marijuana. Let's not let their efforts fail. Vote YES (and be prepared to fight the Feds for our state rights)!