There is no legal requirement to either acknowledge or track funds from so-called “friendly allies” outside the confines of the state-based ballot groups’ own books.
Rich Coolidge, spokesman for the Colorado Secretary of State, confirmed that issue committees are not subject to the same disclosure laws as candidates, who face much more stringent rules on reporting independent expenditures made by outside groups that can affect an election. Likewise, there are no monetary limits on the amount of contributions issue committees, such as Personhood Colorado, can accept from donors.
Case in point: Twelve days before Election Day 2008, the lobbying arm of the American Life League dumped $200,000 into the Colorado for Equal Rights campaign to push Amendment 48. Yet, other than an obscure major donor report, the contribution never appeared on any of the campaign’s financial reports.
The lack of accountability on who is truly financing the reinvigorated personhood ballot efforts raises concerns that money could again pour into the state from well-heeled national anti-abortion groups without full disclosure to the voting public.
It goes without saying that national activists are again using Colorado and other states as electoral proving grounds to challenge Roe v Wade since federal legislative efforts have been fruitless.
“Now with Personhood Colorado, affiliated with Personhood USA, we’re again seeing national interests at play,” said Monica McCafferty, a spokesperson for Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains, a leading opponent of last year’s attempt to pass the first state personhood measure.
“Coloradoans should question if Personhood Colorado really has the state’s best interest in mind. Access to affordable health care is already tough enough for Colorado families. If the initiative makes it on the 2010 ballot, Colorado voters will once again be asked to weigh in on a deceptively worded ballot measure – written by extremists with ties beyond Colorado – that would restrict or threaten access to health care.”
This story was originally published at RH Reality Check.org.
