Should taxpayers be required to subsidize the collection of political contributions and payments to lobbyists?

All of us would defend a citizen's right to lobby government or donate to a campaign. But forcing taxpayers to subsidize someone else's collection and payment of lobbying funds is an entirely different question.

Amendment 49 establishes "Ethical Standards" for our public payroll systems.

Both the Denver Post and the Rocky Mountain News call it a simple good government reform. I agree.

Government shouldn't be the bagman for special interests.

Amendment 49 stops government from bundling and funneling money to special interests and their lobbyists through our payroll system.

Currently many political groups, some unions and some not, collect their political contributions from government employees right through the payroll system that you and I pay for.

Governments at many levels in Colorado pass this money to political groups by directly writing them checks. These groups then turn around and use the money to elect candidates, lobby policy makers, and even give campaign contributions right back to the same politicians who signed the checks.

When endorsing 49, the Rocky Mountain News described it as, "Government provides a free dues collection service for major lobbyists." The Post said, "Amendment 49 will stop the blatant conflict of interest that now allows politicians to collect dues that are used to elect and re-elect those very same politicians."

Under ethical standards, if a political organization wants a government employee to give them money, they will simply have to go to that employee and ask them for it. They won't be able to just suck it out of a worker's paycheck.

In other words they'll have to do it the way all other political groups get their money -- from their members directly, not from government.

Amendment 49 levels the playing field.

It is unethical for government to be the banker, accountant and collection agent for lobbyists. Instead, government should be using our limited tax dollars, and our precious civil servants' time, to provide crucial public services, not funneling cash.

This simple reform doesn't change how unions or membership groups work or organize. It doesn't interfere with workers' rights to give political money to any group. And it doesn't affect private employers.

Amendment 49 is only a restriction on government. The Post called it "a modest ethical rule."

This is also not an untested idea. Currently a dozen counties, representing more than half the state's population, already have put the language on their books.

The well-heeled lobbying groups opposing ethical standards are going to spend millions to scare you to vote no. I hope you won't be fooled. Amendment 49 helps keep lobbyists in line. Vote yes.

Get more information at www.EthicalStandardsNow.com.

Hank Brown is a former U.S. senator and former president of the University of Colorado.