You can hear a lively, informative and, most likely, very contentious debate on Referenda C and D on campus tomorrow, Thursday, Sept. 22, at the Tivoli Turnhalle from 1-3 p.m.

On Nov. 1, Coloradans will vote on two ballot measures, Referenda C and D, which are considered to be at the forefront of the national tax-limit movement and among the hottest political battles in the country. The campus community has an opportunity tomorrow to hear an informative debate on the underlying issues behind these referenda, many of which will affect state spending on higher education.

John Caldara, president of the Independence Institute and chair of the "Vote No It's Your Dough" campaign against the referenda, and Brad Young, former state representative and chair of the Joint Budget Committee and proponent of C and D, will debate each other. Norm Provizer, professor in the Political Science Department and director of the Golda Meir Center for Political Leadership, will moderate the debate.

Background
In 1992, Colorado voters approved the Taxpayers' Bill of Rights (TABOR), the strictest limit on state spending in the nation, which has controlled the state budget ever since. TABOR gives voters the power to approve taxes, sharply curbs spending growth and limits lawmakers' authority on taxes and the budget. Its supporters say it has controlled profligate state spending, while its detractors say it has left Colorado in a deep financial hole from which there is no way out.

Recently, the Colorado General Assembly and Governor Bill Owens worked out a budget compromise to address the state's budget problems. Referenda C and D will go before the voters in November, and have raised questions about how tightly voters should be able to control their leaders on spending matters.

Impact on Metro State
These issues will have a large impact on the budget of Metro State. As discussed at the last Board of Trustees meeting and the President's Welcoming Ceremony, several of President Jordan's plans for "stabilizing" the college, including raising the pay of adjunct faculty and hiring more tenure and tenure-track faculty, are contingent upon the passage of Referenda C and D. Further, the outcomes of the vote on the referenda are expected to have a highly significant influence on tuition for higher education in Colorado.

To read the nonpartisan legislative analysis of the referenda, go to http://www.leg.state.co.us/lcs/0506initrefr.nsf/Ballot%20Analysis?openview

The debate is being sponsored by Metro Student Activities, together with the Office of Student Life at UCDHSC. For more information, contact Metro Student Activities at 303-556-2595 or go to http://studentactivities.mscd.edu.