COLORADO FREEDOM

STATE ASSEMBLY APRIL 14

READY TO SERVE

2018 Election in Colorado!

It is a full ballot with elections for most statewide offices, including the governor, all 65 House seats, 17 Senate seats, 13 statewide questions changing the state constitution or state statues, retention of judges and local questions.

Here are my recommendations:

For elected offices I recommend a straight Republican ticket. I am not aware of any Democrat on the ballot that will support limited government more than the Republican candidate and Republican control of the Senate is absolutely essential. Additionally, the choice could not be more stark in the governor’s race.

For the retention of judges I usually vote no, not because of any particular judge, but the retention votes for judges run very lopsided with most judges getting 70% or more. My no vote helps balance out the yes votes that were cast with little or no information about that particular judge.

For the other ballot questions:

Amendment V, lowering the age requirement for legislators from 25 to 21

I am voting yes.

This is a question that has legitimate points on both sides. I am basing my judgement on how the lower age requirement has worked in other states. Without exception I have personally found any legislators who were elected before they were 25 to be responsible adults who also brought in fresh perspectives to many issues. Remember, to be elected the younger person has to be seen by the voters in their district as the best choice.

Amendment W, ballot format for judicial retention elections

I am voting yes.

This is to create a simpler ballot format for judicial retention questions. It does not make any other changes to judicial retention questions.

Amendment X, industrial hemp definition

I am voting yes.

This eliminates the definition of industrial hemp in our state constitution. Eliminating this constitutional language will help synchronize Colorado’s legal definition of industrial hemp with federal terminology. It will give the legislature more flexibility in managing this emerging agricultural product.

Amendments Y and Z, congressional and legislative redistricting
note: I am grouping these together as the arguments are identical

After much consideration I am switching my vote to no.

I say switching because I did vote for these two referred measures in the legislature and I agreed to be listed as an endorser of the questions. However, recently I came to realize that this new and very complex system will not achieve its intended goal of making the redistricting process more equitable and less political.

It is loaded with steps to filter out partisan considerations with an attempt to find a broad mix of Colorado citizens who are willing to serve on the commissions. But I see one glaring flaw.

It can be easily gamed by any special interest willing to find enough qualified citizens who could overwhelm the applicant pool. Because the stakes are so high in redistricting Y and Z will not eliminate the politics, they may ratchet it up to a higher level than we have seen before.

For example, if 8,000 people apply to be commissioners and 6,000 were recruited by a particular special interest, that special interest would in all probability end up with a stronger influence on the 12 member commission than anyone else. Since every special interest will see this, I expect there will be a huge effort to recruit applicants on all sides of the political spectrum and big special interests, not We the People will dominate the process.

I have carefully watched two redistricting cycles and I know the present system has many flaws, but I have come to the conclusion that Y and Z are not a better solution.

Amendment A, prohibit slavery in all circumstances

I am voting yes.

This makes it clear that slavery and involuntary servitude are banned in all circumstances in Colorado.

Amendment 73, tax increase for public schools

I am voting no.

Not only does this put Colorado back into a graduated income tax system, and raise income taxes, it also will raise residential property taxes, generating overall $1.6 billion in the first full year it is in place.

Amendment 74, requiring compensation to be paid for government regulatory takings

I am voting yes

Current Colorado law allows a government to diminish nearly 90% of the value of private property through regulations without any compensation to the property owner. This amendment will require the government to pay the property owner when government policies diminish the value of a property.

Amendment 75, level the playing field for campaign contributions

I am voting yes.

If a candidate contributes $1,000,000 or more to their campaign their opponent can receive five times the ordinary limit on contributions.

Proposition 109, bonding for highway projects

I am voting yes.

This is something we have been trying to get passed in the legislature for several years, but the Democrats have been blocking it. Without raising taxes it will authorize a $3.5 billion bond for highway construction.

Proposition 110, increase sales taxes and authorize a bond for transportation projects

I am voting no.

Bonding for highway construction is good, but this goes too far with more taxes and 15% of the money goes to projects that are not roads and bridges.

Proposition 111, limitations on payday loans

I am voting no.

Current law does put limits on payday loans, but this goes further and will probably run payday loan companies out of the state. Unfortunately that will not mean people who use payday loans will then get lower cost loans elsewhere. But it may result in an under-the-table illegal loan system for many citizens in Colorado.

Proposition 112, increase setbacks for oil and gas to 2500 feet

I am voting no.

Much has been said about this question. I will simply say that it would destroy the largest industry in Colorado, throw tens of thousands of people out of work and be a vast regulatory taking of legitimate oil and gas property values. Also, Polis is getting a lot of good press for opposing the 2500’ setback, but don’t forget that in 2014 he actively promoted a 2000’ setback which would have done about as much damage to the oil and gas industry.

For the Thompson School District in Larimer County, 5A and 5B will increase property taxes for a $350,000 home, which is about average for this area, by almost $300 per year.

I am voting no.

For all other tax increase measures I recommend a no vote.

My Family

I am blessed to have a wonderful family where I am a husband, father and grandfather. My family is at the heart of why I have worked and served in the public arena. I want to see the very best opportunities and continued freedom for my children, your children, and their children.

My Experience

As a member of the Colorado legislature I have had many opportunities to take the easy way out and leave the hard fight for someone else, but that has never been my style. I have been tenaciously introducing bills year after year to go after the big issues. I have pushed for a rainy-day fund, fought to keep the integrity of the Tax Payers Bill of Rights, argued for Medicaid reform, introduced alternatives to our crippling education costs, stood up to protect traditional marriage and the lives of the unborn, and daily fought the insidious growth and power of government over the everyday lives of citizens. 


Our Values

Issues may come and go, but our values never change, and you can know that I will never back down in protecting your freedoms. I believe that governments are instituted among men to protect their inalienable, God-given rights, and that our government was designed for the power to come from the bottom up, not the top down.



For Life and Liberty,

Kevin Lundberg