The Colorado Education Association today conceded defeat on Amendment 54, which will ban political contributions from unions that represent government workers, but said victories in other campaigns “more than balance” the loss.
Amendment 54 held a narrow lead, 51 percent to 49 percent, with 95 percent of precincts reporting. Union officials have said they will challenge the measure’s constitutionality in court because of its scope.
The CEA, which represents 38,500 educators, was a member of a coalition that fought Amendment 54 and two other union-restricting measures — Amendments 47 and 49, which were both defeated.
Amendment 47 would have prohibited mandatory union fees and Amendment 49 would have outlawed automatic deductions of union fees from government workers’ paychecks.
“Defeating Amendment 49 was a significant win for CEA and its members,” said CEA president Beverly Ingle. “Our members’ voices will not be silenced.”
The union also trumpeted wins by Democrats Mark Udall and Betsy Markey. Udall won the U.S. Senate seat that will be vacated by Republican Wayne Allard and Markey supplanted incumbent Republican Marilyn Musgrave in the 4th Congressional District.
Amendment 54 would prohibit campaign contributions from any entity that wins no-bid government contracts totaling $100,000 or more, including unions that represent government workers. It would also prohibit immediate family members of holders of a no-bid contract from contributing to any political campaign or candidate who may have influence over the contract.
Labor officials say the ban goes to far because it would extend too the family members of rank-and-file union members.
Proponents of the measure say it will encourage competitive bidding on government contracts.
“This is a tremendous day for all Coloradans,” said Tom Lucero, chairman of Amendment 54. “Taxpayers are the real winners: through competitive bidding, taxpayers will save millions.”
Andy Vuong: 303-954-1209 or avuong@denverpost.com
