William L. Robinson:
"However, you seem to have missed the real point of the resolution. It is a proposal to let the people of Colorado decide, not the environmental lobby at the capital. That would be government by the people, a notion which I think we all cherish. And if the resolution passed, and if the voters approved it, then the answer to the question of whether it would divert funds from existing lottery proceeds or add to them would be answered — by the free market choice of those who purchase tickets. That is another principle we cherish; a free market economy.
So why would the commissioners write the legislators urging them to kill this referendum? Is it perchance because they fear the people might decide that meeting the crushing needs of our returning veterans is worth some minimal risk to well funded environmental interests?
As an aside, let me add that at the first hearing on the resolution last week, it was sad to see the acrimony between the environmental and education lobby on one side and the veterans, who use, enjoy and value those institutions, but desperately seek some way to help their fellow returning veterans...."
(Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
Showing posts with label lottery funds veterans in Colorado. Show all posts
Showing posts with label lottery funds veterans in Colorado. Show all posts
April 11, 2012
SandBoxBlogs: Aspen Daily News "County calls for withdrawal of bill to divert lottery funds to veterans"
Then again.
It may be entirely possible that 'SandBox Nanny' spoke too soon in the previous post. Here we have another standard modus operandi of PitCo BOCC using the office and power for personal political statements rather than polling the folks they serve prior to acting.
Of course they went to....who else? No further than Snowmass Village for the inside track.
Andrew Travers:
"The letter, to Sen. Gail Schwartz of Snowmass Village and the Colorado legislature, requests the bill be withdrawn from consideration and that current lottery fund distribution be preserved in the future."
(Read more? Review the fact that this is a separate lottery game that would not affect GOCO funds? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
It may be entirely possible that 'SandBox Nanny' spoke too soon in the previous post. Here we have another standard modus operandi of PitCo BOCC using the office and power for personal political statements rather than polling the folks they serve prior to acting.
Of course they went to....who else? No further than Snowmass Village for the inside track.
Andrew Travers:
"The letter, to Sen. Gail Schwartz of Snowmass Village and the Colorado legislature, requests the bill be withdrawn from consideration and that current lottery fund distribution be preserved in the future."
(Read more? Review the fact that this is a separate lottery game that would not affect GOCO funds? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
April 6, 2012
SandBoxBlogs: Aspen Daily News "Lottery conservation funds being eyed by veterans’ advocates"
Of course they are.
Open space, parks and rec has been hooked up to the cash cow of lottery and gaming proceeds with zero competition for those funds.
Sinking millions of dollars into one special interest, Colorado would be much better served to follow the lead of other states in the union.
Consolidate all gaming proceeds into one kitty and then divide that up between Parks-Rec-Open Space, K-12 public education, law enforcement and public safety, road and bridge and human services.
It's called fairness and equal sharing amongst public need entities rather than the current greed-mongering from Parks, Rec and Open Space.
Interesting to watch again the crossover power between boards and local interests in some of the names that are speaking out against the measure.
Andrew Travers:
"...An effort by state legislators to redistribute lottery funds for conservation grants, and put them toward veterans’ programs, has drawn concern from local open space officials.
The Pitkin County open space department will ask the county commissioners to pass a resolution opposing the veterans initiative next week.
“I don’t believe it’s the solution to the problem, to take funds away from something that is working,” said Barb D’Autrechy, county open space acquisition manager.
State Sen. Suzanne Williams of Aurora and others are gathering support in the legislature to create a new scratch-off lottery ticket to fund additional aid for Colorado veterans and amend allocations of lottery funds. Changing the distribution of lottery proceeds would mean changing the Colorado Constitution, which requires a statewide vote.
Supporters are hoping to place the issue on the statewide November ballot.
Voters have previously supported the parks- and conservation-centric funding model, which supports grants for open space purchases, trail projects and wildlife protection.
Conservationists do not wish to be pitted against veterans in competition for state funds, said Martha Cochran, director of the Aspen Valley Land Trust (AVLT)...." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
Open space, parks and rec has been hooked up to the cash cow of lottery and gaming proceeds with zero competition for those funds.
Sinking millions of dollars into one special interest, Colorado would be much better served to follow the lead of other states in the union.
Consolidate all gaming proceeds into one kitty and then divide that up between Parks-Rec-Open Space, K-12 public education, law enforcement and public safety, road and bridge and human services.
It's called fairness and equal sharing amongst public need entities rather than the current greed-mongering from Parks, Rec and Open Space.
Interesting to watch again the crossover power between boards and local interests in some of the names that are speaking out against the measure.
Andrew Travers:
"...An effort by state legislators to redistribute lottery funds for conservation grants, and put them toward veterans’ programs, has drawn concern from local open space officials.
The Pitkin County open space department will ask the county commissioners to pass a resolution opposing the veterans initiative next week.
“I don’t believe it’s the solution to the problem, to take funds away from something that is working,” said Barb D’Autrechy, county open space acquisition manager.
State Sen. Suzanne Williams of Aurora and others are gathering support in the legislature to create a new scratch-off lottery ticket to fund additional aid for Colorado veterans and amend allocations of lottery funds. Changing the distribution of lottery proceeds would mean changing the Colorado Constitution, which requires a statewide vote.
Supporters are hoping to place the issue on the statewide November ballot.
Voters have previously supported the parks- and conservation-centric funding model, which supports grants for open space purchases, trail projects and wildlife protection.
Conservationists do not wish to be pitted against veterans in competition for state funds, said Martha Cochran, director of the Aspen Valley Land Trust (AVLT)...." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
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