From: WAND_M@gold.colorado.edu
Subject: Romer says recall backers misread him
Followup-To: amend2-discuss@cs.colorado.edu
Originator: doherty@ucsu.Colorado.EDU
Organization: University of Colorado, Boulder
Distribution: usa
Date: Tue, 22 Dec 1992 02:57:29 GMT

By Jim Kirksey, Denver Post Staff Writer

December 14, 1992

Gov. Roy Romer said yesterday a group of Colorado voters seeking to boot him 
from office has misunderstood his stand on the issues.

He said the group is misreading him on Amendment 1, which limits taxing and 
government spending, and Amendment 2, which overturns ordinances that protect 
gays from discrimination.

Both were passed by Colorado voters in last month's election, despite 
opposition by Romer and other state and local officials.

However, Romer said yesterday, he is working to implement both new laws--not 
trying to overturn them as charged by the group that wants to recall him.

Romer said he has been meeting with local governments around the state about 
adhering to the controversial Amendment 1, and also is upholding Amendment 2.

Despite personal feelings, when a constitutional amendment becomes law, a 
governor must uphold it, he said.

"I have a duty to defend it," said the governor.  "I have to implement it.  I 
obviously do not agree.  Everybody knows that.  But it's the law, and I'm 
implementing the law."

However, a group of 30 people headed by Douglas Briggman of Monument wants 
Romer out of office because of what it says are his ongoing objections to the 
amendments.

The group must collect some 278,512 signataures from registered Colorado voters 
in order to get a recall on a statewide ballot.

The group being formed by Briggman, who owns a Colorado Springs auto repair 
shop, calls itself "We the People for the Recall of Roy Romer."

In addition to the governor's opposition to the controversial amendments--both 
petitioned on the Nov. 3 ballot by Colorado Springs groups--Briggman's group 
targets Romer's stand on Amendment 6, which failed.

The group doesn't believe Romer should be looking for other means of raising 
money for schools since Amendment 6, which would have set a sales tax for 
schools, failed.

With amendment 1 now the law, only a vote of the people can institute new 
school revenues, Romer said.  "I do not have a plan now to do that," he said.

He added, however, "It's my hope that over a period of time we will find a way 
to put the proper money in schools.  Sure, I'm going to be an advocate for what 
I believe in.  But, that's what democracy's all about.  People differ."

Since Briggman suggested the recall of Romer on a local radio talk show three 
weeks ago, he has received 250 telephone calls from Colorado Springs, Denver, 
Pueblo, Grand Junction, Montrose and other parts of the state in support of the 
effort, he said.

Briggman estimates the reall effort will cost about $300,000.  He is accepting 
contributions to We the People, box 1089, Monument, 80132.  "We're not after 
the big dollars," he said.  "This is totally a grass-roots effort."

     Denver Post correspondent Jim Gibney contributed to this story.

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