Amendment S proposes changes to the state personnel system which has approximately 32,500 full- and part-time classified employees.
Article XII, Section 13 of the CO constitution details a merit system for appointments and promotions of state personnel. Instead of relying solely on competence tests, this measure would allow consideration of other objective criteria. The maximum number of candidates considered for a position would be increased from 3 to 6. Non-state residents could be hired to do state jobs along the Colorado border. The maximum duration for temporary employment would increase from six to nine months.
Instead of an unlimited number of 5-year terms for the members of the state personnel board (Article XII, Section 14), this measure would have each member serve a 3-year term with the possibility of only one renewal.
Under this measure Article XII, Section 15 would continue to give a qualified veteran or his or her surviving spouse an advantage in a comparative numerical analysis of candidates but only for jobs which are not “promotional opportunities” for internal or external candidates, i.e., only entry-level jobs, it seems. A new provision specifies that veterans or surviving spouses are automatically in the interview pool for those same jobs when using a nonnumerical method of analysis.
The 41,000 nonclassified state employees mostly work in higher education and the legislative and judicial branches; they have been and would continue to be exempt from the merit system. This measure adds other positions which the state personnel director could exempt as long as the total comprises no more than 1% of the total number of people in the state personnel system. One percent of 32,500 is 325.
Recommendation: Yes
The proposed changes provide the state with more flexibility in hiring and promoting classified employees. Proponents like to say this measure will help the state move into the 21st century. Critics worry about a possible loss of political protections with the expansion of the state personnel director’s ability to exempt 300+ employees from the merit system. Both houses of the General Assembly unanimously passed this measure to refer it to the voters.
Website for the Yes Side
(Yes on S)
http://voteyesons.com/
Website for the No Side
(Colorado Citizens for Good Government)
http://www.noonamendments.com/
Amendment S (CONSTITUTIONAL) (Approved Ballot Language)
Shall there be an amendment to the Colorado constitution concerning the state personnel system, and, in connection therewith, expanding the veterans' preference; increasing the number of candidates eligible to be appointed to a position; adjusting the duration of allowable temporary employment; allowing the flexibility to remove a limited number of positions from the system; modifying the residency requirement; adjusting the terms of service for members of the state personnel board; and requiring merit‐based appointments to be made through a comparative analysis process?
‐Yes
‐No
See House Concurrent Resolution 12-1001 to refer Amendment S to the voters.
http://www.leg.state.co.us/CLICS/CLICS2012A/csl.nsf/fsbillcont3/A1BF411B75FBBA1A872579810082A370?Open&file=HCR1001_enr.pdf
The full text is also in the Blue Book along with analysis. Click below, then click on “2012 Blue Book” at the top of the page.
http://www.colorado.gov/cs/Satellite/CGA-LegislativeCouncil/CLC/1200536134742
Article XII, Section 13 of the CO constitution details a merit system for appointments and promotions of state personnel. Instead of relying solely on competence tests, this measure would allow consideration of other objective criteria. The maximum number of candidates considered for a position would be increased from 3 to 6. Non-state residents could be hired to do state jobs along the Colorado border. The maximum duration for temporary employment would increase from six to nine months.
Instead of an unlimited number of 5-year terms for the members of the state personnel board (Article XII, Section 14), this measure would have each member serve a 3-year term with the possibility of only one renewal.
Under this measure Article XII, Section 15 would continue to give a qualified veteran or his or her surviving spouse an advantage in a comparative numerical analysis of candidates but only for jobs which are not “promotional opportunities” for internal or external candidates, i.e., only entry-level jobs, it seems. A new provision specifies that veterans or surviving spouses are automatically in the interview pool for those same jobs when using a nonnumerical method of analysis.
The 41,000 nonclassified state employees mostly work in higher education and the legislative and judicial branches; they have been and would continue to be exempt from the merit system. This measure adds other positions which the state personnel director could exempt as long as the total comprises no more than 1% of the total number of people in the state personnel system. One percent of 32,500 is 325.
Recommendation: Yes
The proposed changes provide the state with more flexibility in hiring and promoting classified employees. Proponents like to say this measure will help the state move into the 21st century. Critics worry about a possible loss of political protections with the expansion of the state personnel director’s ability to exempt 300+ employees from the merit system. Both houses of the General Assembly unanimously passed this measure to refer it to the voters.
Website for the Yes Side
(Yes on S)
http://voteyesons.com/
Website for the No Side
(Colorado Citizens for Good Government)
http://www.noonamendments.com/
Amendment S (CONSTITUTIONAL) (Approved Ballot Language)
Shall there be an amendment to the Colorado constitution concerning the state personnel system, and, in connection therewith, expanding the veterans' preference; increasing the number of candidates eligible to be appointed to a position; adjusting the duration of allowable temporary employment; allowing the flexibility to remove a limited number of positions from the system; modifying the residency requirement; adjusting the terms of service for members of the state personnel board; and requiring merit‐based appointments to be made through a comparative analysis process?
‐Yes
‐No
See House Concurrent Resolution 12-1001 to refer Amendment S to the voters.
http://www.leg.state.co.us/CLICS/CLICS2012A/csl.nsf/fsbillcont3/A1BF411B75FBBA1A872579810082A370?Open&file=HCR1001_enr.pdf
The full text is also in the Blue Book along with analysis. Click below, then click on “2012 Blue Book” at the top of the page.
http://www.colorado.gov/cs/Satellite/CGA-LegislativeCouncil/CLC/1200536134742
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