July 07, 2010 03:35 AM UTC

Kennedy Campaigns Against "Dr. Evil" Initiatives

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• by: Colorado Pols

Colorado Treasurer Cary Kennedy appears to have settled her issue on which to campaign this year, in the form of Amendments 60, 61 and Proposition 101–not having seen a better nickname emerge for these, we’re sticking with the “Dr. Evil” initiatives.

In an email to supporters today, Kennedy finds an easy target:

If adopted, the measures would immediately generate large deficits and would threaten our state’s good credit. Amendment 60, Amendment 61 and Proposition 101 would be detrimental to Colorado’s financial health and economic prosperity.

Under Amendment 61, Colorado would be the only state in the country barred from financing public infrastructure.  Amendment 60 would invalidate hundreds of local elections to fund schools; and, Proposition 101 would slash state and local revenues at the time they are needed the most.  

Colorado has been fiscally responsible during the economic downturn.  If these three measures pass, Colorado will go down the same reckless path of looming deficits that are bankrupting California.

As Treasurer, there’s probably nobody in state government besides the Governor whose job would be more directly impacted by the passage of these initiatives, so it makes sense that she would spearhead opposition. That’s not to minimize the suffering that would be felt by everyone in the state if they were to pass, but Kennedy obviously understands the threat posed better than most. Kennedy is also smart enough to shred anybody who tried to defend these initiatives in her presence: fortunately, not even many Republicans are willing to do so.

This could put Kennedy’s GOP opponents J.J. Ament and Walker Stapleton, locked in a primary struggle for five more weeks, in a bit of a pickle–since we can’t imagine they would support these initiatives, but opposing them could tip the pivotal “Tea Party” one way…or another.