Sonnleitner sends 'political activity' message

Tom Sonnleitner, Vice Chancellor for Administrative Services, has posted without comment the rules governing political activity for state employees this morning.

When something like this appears, I wonder what has inspired it. I don't recall anything resembling political activity on the discussion lists (in fact almost no discussion), so is there some event on campus that he thinks will cross the line?

Is someone on campus critical of the Chancellor's arguments against TABOR #2? Did someone object to a meeting about the "Ban Civil Unions" amendment? Is my blog too anti-Republican for someone? Has Tony annoyed the administration again?

Anybody know the reasons for th timing of the post?

Here is an excerpt:

In general, the following political activities are prohibited:

1. Using governmental authority to interfere or affect nomination or election for any public
office or position within any political party.
2. Using governmental authority or influence to intimidate, threaten, or coerce any person to
vote contrary to his/her own voluntary choosing.
3. Using governmental authority to directly or indirectly intimidate, threaten, or coerce any
person to pay, lend, or contribute anything of value, including services, to any party,
organization, group, or individual for political purposes.
4. Using any official authority or influence to coerce any individual or group for political
action or to confer benefits or effect reprisals to secure desired political action or inaction.
5. Offering money in return for political action or inaction or accepting any benefit in return
for political action or inaction.
6. Engaging in political activity on state-owned property including, but not limited to, the
wearing of a political identification while on duty where it could impair the effectiveness
of the state agency operation.
7. Engaging in any political activity when not on duty to such an extent that efficiency
during working hours is impaired or that the employee is tardy or absent from work.
8. Taking any action that makes one a candidate for partisan public office unless on an
approved leave of absence .
9. Directly or indirectly soliciting or receiving subscriptions or contributions for any partisan
political party or any political purpose while on state time or engaged in official duties or
while in a building, office, or room occupied for any purpose by the state.
10. Either orally soliciting or by letter or by electronic mail transmitting any solicitation to a
state office or be in any manner concerned in soliciting any assistance, subscription, or
support for any partisan, political party or purpose from any person holding any position
in the classified service while on state time or engaged in official duties.
11. During the hours when on official duty engaging in any form of political activity
calculated to favor or improve the chances of any political party or any person seeking or
attempting to hold partisan political office.
12. Using state property, materials, supplies or equipment in connection with political
activity.