05/08/2008
Initiative 93 would require employers to provide a "safe and healthy" workplace for employees. Initiative 96 would require employers to provide annual cost-of-living wage and salary increases to all employees.
These two initiatives were file by the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 7 in response to the Colorado Association of Commerce and Industry's endorsement of an anti-union "right to work" initiative. Similar to the minimum wage requirements, the cost-of-living wage increase initiative requires increases to be pegged to the consumer price index for Colorado. As noted during the minimum wage debate, Colorado does not have a consumer price index; however, the title board considers only whether proposed initiatives meet the state's "single-subject" rule. The only consumer price index used in Colorado is the Denver, Boulder, Greeley CPI.
NFIB/Colorado has always opposed embedding economic policy and mandates on business in Colorado's constitution. Not only are these two initiatives bad public policy they will prompt the demise of Colorado's small business owners. NFIB/Colorado is committed to assisting in the defeat of these ill-advised proposals.
76,000 valid signatures would be required to get these issues onto the November ballot.
