Sexual Orientation

There are signs that Colorado is headed towards the kind of Labor vs. Business Ballot Initiative Super Bowl that Californians experienced during the special election of 2005. It seems that every few weeks, one side or the other ups the ante by filing new initiatives aimed at the prerogatives of the other. Colorado's governor has called a meeting for Monday in an effort to head off warfare, but don't bet it on him succeeding. Ballot initiatives, once filed, take on lives of their own. A whole industry of people who profit from the measures -- and interest groups who like the measures -- soon seize on viable initiatives. In many cases, the initiative's original sponsors can change their mind and sue for peace -- but it doesn't matter. Here's a round-up of headlines from over the past couple days.

RIGHT TO WORK SUMMIT: The Rocky Mountain News has this report on Monday's scheduled meeting between the governor and advocates for a ballot initiative that would make Colorado a "right-to-work state." California cognoscenti will recognize the name of Jonathan Coors, a former aide to Gov. Schwarzenegger.

Lots of items this morning

INITIATIVE SPONSOR TO GAYS: 'JUST SHUT UP': One of the two Oregon legislators sponsoring a ballot initiative that would allows employers to discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation shares "my advice to the gay community". That advice? "Shut up, just don't talk about it." He nows says that he was sharing advice he used at his own business, which produces hazelnuts.

RIGHT TO WORK EQUALS NIXON: An interesting Huffington Post item recalls then Vice President Nixon's backing of ballot initiatives to establish "right to work" laws, overturning "closed shop" rules that required workers to join unions as a condition of employment. A battle is brewing now in Colorado over a similar measure. (Click read more to see more items)

BUT YOU CAN STILL GET A GOOD STEAK THERE: Kansas City votes April 8 on a local ballot initiative that will strengthen its relatively weak anti-smoking law. The city council there is trying to beat the initiative by adding its own tweaks to the law.