I&R News Round-Up
Week of
October 11, 2004
Updated October 15, 2004
This page contains a summary of news articles on ballot measures, along with links to the articles themselves. It is updated several times a week.
Commerce & Economic Development--Rhode Island
According to the Narragansett Times, supporters of the Quonset Point development bond measure are worried that its position at the end of a long list of 14 ballot questions will damage its chances at passage. The measure would pay for the renovation of a former military base and improvements to a port and business park. Supporters say that while improvements would cost $48 million, future land sales would generate $108 million.
Criminal Justice--California
Prop. 66, which would change California’s “Three Strikes” law so that nonviolent felonies don’t count toward the three-strikes guidelines, has become contentious. The San Francisco Chronicle reports on both sides’ campaigns in the October 12 issue. According to a poll reported in the October 13 Sacramento Bee, 65% of voters support the idea of curbing the three-strikes law.
Drug Policy--Alaska, Montana
The Juneau Empire reports that the marijuana legalization measure on the ballot lacks specifics for how marijuana should be regulated. Proponents disagree on how the Legislature should implement the measure. On Wednesday October 13, a prominent group of opponents to the measure gathered to voice their concerns. According to the Anchorage Daily News, the group included the governor, the deputy U.S. drug czar Scott Burns and high level state law enforcement officials.
In Montana, the Billings Gazette reports that 58% of those polled support the measure to legalize marijuana for medical purposes. However, the measure faces stiff opposition from the federal government.
Education--Washington
Referendum 55, a measure that would repeal a charter school bill passed by the Washington legislature, is attracting big money. According to the Seattle Times, supporters of charter schools have taken in $3.8 million (mostly from Microsoft founder Bill Gates, John Walton of the family that owns Wal-Mart, and Don Fisher, co-found of The Gap), while opponents have raised about $1.2 million from teachers’ associations.
Election Reform--Alaska, California, Colorado, New Mexico, Washington
According to the Juneau Empire, a constitutional amendment to change the signature requirements for initiative petitions is escaping voters’ notice. The amendment, referred by the Legislature, would increase the geographic distribution requirements for petition signatures.
Proposition 62, an initiative that would change California's primary system to one similar to that used in Louisiana, has the support of 44% of likely voters in a recent Field Poll, according to the Sacramento Bee. 31% were opposed. However, 25% were still undecided, so the picture remains unclear.
According to the Rocky Mountain News, a challenge was filed October 13 in federal court to Colorado's Amendment 36. The suit contends that the proposal's immediate effective date is unfair, and asks the court to make the measure effective with the next presidential election if it passes. It also asks the court to order the secretary of state to allocate Colorado's 2004 electoral votes to the candidate winning the statewide popular vote. It is expect that there will be a hearing next week to consider these requests.
The Free New Mexican reports that municipalities with a population of over 20,000 could hold run-off elections in the future if Amendment 3 passes.
The Seattle Post-Intelligencer reports that the current governor of Washington as well as three former governors oppose the proposed top-two primary. They say it would limit third parties’ role in Washington politics. The state parties also oppose the measure, and have threatened to select candidates at conventions if the measure passes. A Seattle Times article on Friday provides a good explanation of the issues raised by the proposal to change to a top-two primary.
A similar measure is on California’s ballot. The San Francisco Chronicle profiles Prop. 62, an initiative proposing a top-two primary, and Prop. 60, a legislative referendum proposing a closed primary system. If both measures pass, the one receiving the highest number of votes takes effect.
Gambling--California, Florida, Michigan, Nebraska, Washington
Harrah's Casino commissioned a poll recently that shows that gamblers are more politically active than non-gamblers, according to the Jacksonville Business Journal. The sign petitions, contribute money to campaigns, and vote at higher rates.
A lot of money is being spent on ads for and against gambling measures in California, according to the Los Angeles Times. While proponents of one of the state's two gambling initiatives, Proposition 68, have stopped campaigning for their measure, spending on the other initiative continues to climb. Proponents of Prop. 70 expect to spend $15 million before election day, and opponents will spend around $5 million. Prop. 70 is not doing well in polls, but heavy spending could sway voter opinion before election day.
The amendment proposing slot machines in Miami-Dade and Broward counties will stay on the ballot after all. The St. Petersburg Times reports that a Leon Circuit judge refused to remove the initiative from the ballot in response to allegations that the names of dead voters were used to qualify the measure. Instead, the measure stays on the ballot and a trial has been set for January 31. The Orlando Sentinel (registration required) reports that supporters are using the promise of more money for public schools to win over voters on the question. The measure on November’s ballot, however doesn’t include any language specifying where gambling revenues might go. If Amendment 4 passes, and voters in the two counties approve slots, the Legislature would decide what happens to the money.
In Michigan, the fight is intensifying over a measure that would require voter approval for new gambling facilities, according to the Detroit Free Press. Proposal 1 would limit new gambling, including new lottery games. School officials oppose the measure because a large percentage of lottery revenues go to education.
The Omaha World-Herald reports October 12 on the dueling gambling measures on Nebraska’s ballot. The state’s ballot will be crowded with gambling measures, some proposed by initiative, with a competing measure proposed by the Legislature.
According to the Seattle Times, supporters aren’t being entirely honest about what Initiative 892 proposed to do. The measure would expand non-tribal gaming and place a portion of the revenues in a fund to reduce future property taxes. However, ads for the measure don’t mention gambling, only the reduction in taxes.
Health Care--California
The Los Angeles Times (registration required) reports that Proposition 63, which would increase the personal income tax rate for those earning over $1 million and use the revenues to fund mental health, is enjoying healthy support in the polls. The Sacramento Bee reports that 57% of likely voters support the measure.
California doctors support another health care measure on the ballot. Proposition 67 would increase the fees telephone users pay to fund emergency medical care. The Sacramento Bee reports that Prop. 67 has come down to a battle between doctors, who support the measure, and phone companies, who oppose it. Voters oppose the measure, 46% to 37%, according to the Bee.
A third health-related measure on California’s ballot is doing well in the polls. The Sacramento Bee reports that 45% of those asked in a Field Poll survey support Proposition 72, while 29% oppose it. Prop. 72 is a referendum on a law the legislature passed, requiring employers to provide health insurance to employees.
Prop. 71, a $3 billion bond measure to fund stem cell research, had the support of 46% of those asked in a California Field Poll, and was opposed by 39%, according to the Washington Post (Reuters). Former Reagan-era secretary of state George Schultz announced his support for the proposal. The Los Angeles Times reports that actor Michael J. Fox, who suffers from Parkinson's disease, will appear in television ads supporting the proposal starting next week. Supporters of the initiative have raised close to $20 million, while opponents have just $136,000, so expect a one-sided campaign. On Thursday 10/14, the California Nurses' Association announced that it opposes Prop. 71, even though it supports stem cell research in principle. The Sacramento Bee reports that the group opposes the measure on two grounds--that pharmaceutical companies might profit from research conducted with public funds, and that women who donate their eggs for research may not be properly informed of the medical risks of that procedure. The organization joins the state's Republican party and various anti-abortion groups in opposing the measure.
Immigration--Arizona
Public support for Proposition 200 is currently at 57%, according to a poll by the Arizona Republic. Prop. 200 would require that people seeking public benefits prove their U.S. citizenship, and would make it a crime for state and local employees to fail to report illegal aliens to federal officials. It would also require people registering to vote and voting at the polls to show identification.
Insurance--Nevada
According to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, the Legislature's legal staff have issued an brief stating that Question 4, the proposal to reduce insurance rates, would not work as planned. Proponents say the measure would reduce auto insurance premiums by 20%.
Labor--Oregon
The Oregonian reports that Measure 38, which would do away with Saif Corp., the state-run workman’s compensation insurance company, is on the ballot because of the financial support of Liberty Northwest. Officials at Liberty say the state’s monopoly on workman’s comp is unfair, and doing away with Saif is the only way to level the playing field.
Same-Sex Marriage Ban--Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Ohio, Utah
USA Today reported on the same-sex marriage measures on the ballot in 11 states in Thursday's paper.
TheCabin.net reports that there is overwhelming support in Arkansas for a ban on same-sex marriages. Eight out of ten of those polls supported the measure, with supporters in both political parties.
In Georgia, the Atlanta Journal Constitution reports that the fight is heating up. While the state’s supreme court will hear arguments on October 19 on whether the measure should stay on the ballot, neither side is waiting for the courts to act. Instead, they’re taking their message to the voters. The state chapter of the League of Women Voters has joined the fight against the proposal, the AJC reported Wednesday.
The Lexington Herald-Leader says that the only group that opposes Kentucky’s proposed same-sex marriage ban has raised three times more money than the five groups supporting it combined. Supporters have raised $103,000, while opponents have $326,000. Meanwhile, polls show that 70% of voters support the ban.
The 1st Circuit Court of Appeals in Baton Rouge, not the state Supreme Court, will hear an appeal on Louisiana’s recently passed gay marriage ban, says the Times-Picayune. Oral arguments will be held on Wednesday October 13 on whether the amendment contains two subjects, a violation of state law. Update: In a unanimous decision, the appeals court on Wednesday sent the case up to the state Supreme Court. Oral arguments will be heard on December 1.
In Ohio, the Akron Beacon Journal reports that Governor Bob Taft opposes the same-sex marriage ban on the ballot in Ohio. He believes the measures language is unclear and would generate lawsuits, and that it would hurt the state's economy because it would limit their ability to attract young and talented employees.
In Utah, the Deseret News says that an anti-polygamy group fears that banning same-sex marriages would make fighting polygamy more difficult. Others disagree, saying it might make prosecuting polygamists easier. The Salt Lake Tribune reports that opponents to the proposed ban have pulled a radio ad in response to complaints from legislators and a radio personality whose recorded words were featured in the ad. One ad included tapes of three legislators' comments during the Legislature's floor debate on the measure, and another listed the names of various public figures who have voiced opposition to the proposal.
Tax Limits--Maine, Washington
The Press Herald reports that libraries are considering either closing or charging fees in the hundreds of dollars for library cards if the proposed property tax cap passes in Maine. On Thursday, the paper reported that many business that would benefit from the tax cap, as well as the state's Chamber of Commerce, oppose the tax cap. The businesses say the savings they would gain in property taxes are not worth the disruption it would cause in communities.
See the Washington story on tax limits above under “Gambling.”
Technology--Arizona
An October 13 article in the Arizona Republic explains Proposition 102. It would allow universities to license their research to companies in return for a slice of ownership in the companies. Stanford University’s partial ownership of the search engine Google, and the potential windfall it stands to gain from Google’s success, was the inspiration for this proposal.
Term Limits--Arkansas
The measure to extend term limits in Arkansas to 12 years in each chamber is opposed by a majority of voters, according to a poll reported by the Arkansas News Bureau on October 12. 40% support the idea, while 51% oppose it. The survey has a margin of error of +/- 4.5%.
Tort Reform/Medical Malpractice--Florida, Nevada, Wyoming
Voters in Florida will see three medical malpractice reform measures on their ballot this fall, according to the Tallahassee Democrat (AP). Medical malpractice has been a contentious issue in Florida lately, with this year's legislature passing a measure capping noneconomic damages in malpractice cases at $500,000. It was one of the legislature's bitterest fights in years, many observers say.
According to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, the Legislature's legal staff have issued an brief stating that Question 5, a measure intended to reduce frivolous lawsuits by imposing penalties against lawyers who file them, would not have any measurable effect on the number of frivolous lawsuits filed in the state. The state already prohibits such lawsuits, and the proposal doesn't make significant changes to existing law.
The Billings Gazette reports that the Partnership to Protect Affordable Health Care, a coalition of doctors, hospitals, ranchers, truckers and other business interests, supports the two tort reform measures on Wyoming's ballot. Trial lawyers are the main opponents.
Transportation--Florida
Both sides on the question of building a high-speed bullet train in Florida are now running ads, according to the St. Petersburg Times. Voters first approved a plan to build the train from Orlando to Tampa in 2000. Since then, the Legislature has been unable to find funds to build the train, with cost estimates ranging from $2.6 billion to $6.4 billion, depending on who you ask. Amendment 6 would cancel the plan. Recent polls show that 45% of voters support high speed rail, while 39% oppose it. The Tallahassee Democrat says it was the Ggovernor and the Florida Chief Financial Officer who headed the petition drive to get Amendment 6 on the ballot.
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