Article Contributed on: 9/28/2009 8:03:03 AM
One of the lesser known organizations supported by the city of Arvada and its neighbors is the Colorado Municipal League (CML). While it may seem that the intentions of the CML are noble and in the best interests of the city and therefore the citizens, this is just not the case.
To begin, the CML is in fact a lobbying organization. Its main purpose is to lobby state legislators. The few other activities of the CML generally revolve around training and indoctrinating elected officials with regard to the CML's philosophy albeit under the guise of leadership training. According to their website, the CML's training can be inclusive of all costs even including meals. In other words, elected officials, people already considered leaders of the community, can get free meals to re-enforce leadership skills they possess and then be bombarded with CML propaganda.
It is this propaganda, which also serves as the basis for lobbying legislators, that is so insidious. The main thrust of the CML's position is that control should be doled out to the local jurisdictions. This is actually code for giving local jurisdictions as much power as they can grab.
Take the recent legislative session which the CML opposed (and actively killed) HB 1327. This bill would have limited the power of Urban Renewal Authorities (URAs). Naturally the CML had to oppose it. They do not want to actually have URAs report to more entities or report to more citizens or even have their power of eminent domain questioned. If such a bill were to pass then cities and towns would not be able to run roughshod over private land or spend lots of tax dollars to help well connected developers.
Yet even if one subscribed to the beliefs of the CML, is it really necessary to spend tax dollars on lobbying efforts? Most state legislators are readily accessible to the average constituent. A member of a city council should certainly draw extra attention. Therefore, if there were an issue of particular importance it is certain that such a member could pressure his or her representative or senator appropriately.
Ultimately the continued dues paid to the Colorado Municipal League is wasted money. They do not serve some regional purpose and actually only serve to preserve the power of elected officials.