Last year, voters approved a ballot measure that purported to be about "Ethics in Government." What we have since learned is that the initiative, known as Amendment 41 or the Polis initiative after its main proponent and financial backer, multi-millionaire moneyman Jared Polis, was so poorly written and misguided that it has adversely affected everything from trips to promote Colorado's economy by our governor's staff to tuition assistance for kids in grade school and students in college.

As unfortunate as these and other consequences are, the language of our now amended constitution is clear "...but in no way shall such legislation limit or restrict the provisions of this article or the powers herein granted." This means the legislature cannot undo the ridiculous and harmful impacts of the Polis Amendment. We can, however, refer a measure to a vote of the people to clarify the poorly worded and vague language of the Amendment and ensure that we are talking about real ethics in government and not cast the net so wide that hardworking Colorado families are hurt.

Jared Polis has since hired a gaggle of lawyers, lobbyists and pollsters to try and convince those of us in the legislature that his amendment didn't really mean what it says. The irony of the proponent of "Ethics in Government" hiring a high-priced team to influence public policy aside - we cannot "fix" a constitutional amendment that says what is does in plain language without a vote of the people. I will vote for the strict implementation of the Polis initiative and I would wholeheartedly and immediately support a referred measure to clarify the language of the Polis Amendment, but even though I opposed Amendment 41, I cannot cast a vote that would violate our state Constitution.

I am offended and increasingly concerned that the mega-rich can purchase pieces of our state Constitution just because they have enough money. That is precisely what has happened here. I am afraid that the people of Colorado have been sold a bill of goods by a multi-millionaire who was more interested in using his money to advance his own personal political career than forwarding good public policy for the people of Colorado.

I encourage Jared Polis and the people at Common Cause to put their efforts and money behind a referred measure to meaningfully fix the harmful effects of their initiative instead of trying to trick the people of Colorado again by pressing for passage of unconstitutional changes.

I will vote against bills disguised to circumvent the plain language of our Constitution, but I will support Colorado's families by pressing for substantive positive changes to the Polis Amendment through a referred measure to the people.