Latest news with #NancyHenjum
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Mayor Mobolade vetoes marijuana sales tax amendment
(COLORADO SPRINGS) — For the first time in his tenure as Mayor, Yemi Mobolade saying no to city council as he announced he is rejecting Ordinance 25-59 which would have given city council the authority to look for and review programs to fund before sending them to the mayor for consideration. Both sides appear to be at odds as to how the city should go about allocating marijuana sales tax dollars. 'It's this is just the beginning of a long series of conversations about where our dollars are going to come from for all the services required in our city,' said Councilmember Nancy Henjum. City Council passed the resolution during their last regular meeting on July 8th. In a 6-3 vote, council members voted to have a say in who can get the money. 'An ordinance like this gives council an opportunity to focus dollars on a specific problem and not have it get lost in the broader, broader picture,' said Councilmember Tom Bailey. Mayor Mobolade disagrees, saying in a statement that the change would undermine the current process of creating the city's budget by 'creating an unnecessary and unauthorized level of bureaucracy.' In a joint statement, city council responded to the mayor's comments, saying, 'any attempt to frame this as City Council 'usurping' authority is political theater.' But not all council members agree, despite passing the resolution. Councilmember Dave Donelson spoke out and said the process should not change for allocating money, but that part of the solution is in enforcing laws to address some issues being brought up in the city. 'I think a big part of this solution is going to have to be simply the willingness to lock people up for breaking our laws,' Donelson said. 'Is that great? Is that ideal? No. But in the world we are in, that's part of the solution. Mayor Mobolade also believes investments should primarily go toward public safety, while the council says funds can also be used for mental health and PTSD programs. Either way, the council and Mayor Mobolade will have more time to talk about allocating money, as Mobolade says there is currently $1.4 million in the city's marijuana sales tax fund. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
11-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Judge finds repeal of marijuana question unconstitutional
(COLORADO SPRINGS) — After Colorado Springs City Council voted in January to place a question on the April 2025 municipal ballot repealing Ballot Question 300, a district court judge has ruled the move violates Colorado's constitution. On Tuesday, Jan. 28, City Council voted 7-2 to place the question on the April ballot, with Councilmembers Nancy Henjum and Yolanda Avila dissenting. Ballot Question 300 was approved in November by voters, allowing recreational marijuana to be sold by existing medical dispensaries after an application process and directing the tax dollars toward public safety programs and PTSD treatment for veterans. Councilmember Dave Donelson said the wording of the original ballot question may have been confusing, and argued that City Council should approve a second question on the April ballot to ensure the will of the people is accurately reflected, though many argued the results would not be an accurate reflection of the people's choice, as the turnouts for municipal elections are statistically lower than presidential elections. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Lawsuit: City Council marijuana decision 'unconstitutional' A lawsuit filed at the end of January against City Council argued just that. According to the Citizens for Responsible Marijuana Regulation group, Amendment 64 of the Colorado Constitution – which legalized recreational marijuana – allows local governments to prohibit sales within their borders but any ballot measure that does so must 'appear on a general election ballot during an even-numbered year.' The April 1, 2025, municipal election does not fit that definition, the group said. On Monday, Feb. 10, the Citizens for Responsible Marijuana Regulation said a district court judge ruled City Council's vote to place the question on the municipal ballot did in fact violate the Colorado Constitution. 'The city council was in such a rush to overturn the will of Colorado Springs' voters that it just ignored state law. Now, the court has held the council accountable for its outrageous and unconstitutional actions,' said Adam Gillard, a plaintiff in the case and a military veteran who served 20 years with the U.S. Air Force. 'We hope city council members received the judge's message that they do not have absolute authority over their residents. We also hope they won't disregard the law again.' In its decision, the court determined that the repeal of Ballot Question 300 qualified as a prohibition as it would immediately restrict recreational marijuana. 'The Court finds that the Referred Ballot Question is an election to prohibit the operation of retail marijuana stores in the City of Colorado Springs,' the decision reads. 'Therefore, referral of the prohibition measure to the April 1, 2025, general municipal election violates the Colorado Constitution. Such question must appear on a general election ballot during an even numbered year.' The City of Colorado Springs said it will not comment on pending litigation as the 'legal process has not yet been exhausted.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
