The Voter’s Speakeasy

Results of 2009 Spending/Tax/Bonds Ballot Measures:

Maine

Question 4, An Act to Provide Tax Relief, failed on November 3rd, only receiving 39.8% of Yes votes. This bill would have imposed expenditure limitations on state and local government while requiring voter approval of certain state tax increases. For a complete reading of the ballot measure, click here.

Question 6 – Bond Issue passed on November 3rd. This Act authorizes the State to issue bonds in an amount not to exceed $71,250,000 to raise funds for a variety of projects, as described below. The bonds will run for a period not longer than 10 years from the date of issue and will be backed by the full faith and credit of the State. Fifty million dollars ($50,000,000) of the bond proceeds will be placed in the Highway Fund and the remainder would be in the General Fund. A breakdown of how the money will be spent is as follows:

The Department of Transportation will expend $69,750,000 of the bond proceeds for the following types of projects:

• $55,000,000 for highway and bridge improvement projects statewide
• $5,750,000 for improvements to the ports at Eastport and Searsport
• $4,000,000 for improvements to state-owned rail lines and investments in the Industrial Rail Access Program and the Critical Rail Corridors Program
• $2,000,000 for improvements to publicly owned airports
• $1,000,000 for ferry facilities
• $1,000,000 for the LifeFlight Foundation, a non-profit foundation that supports a statewide medical helicopter service used to transport critically ill and injured patients to hospitals
• $400,000 to continue development of the Acadia Gateway Intermodal Center in Trenton
• $400,000 for improvements to island airports
• $200,000 for upgrades to the Augusta airport

The Department of Economic and Community Development will expend the remaining $1,500,000 of the proceeds of sale of the bonds to rebuild a bulkhead and wharf at the Gulf of Maine Research Institute in Portland.

New Jersey

The Public Question on the 2009 New Jersey Ballot was passed on November 3rd, also known as the Green Acres, Water Supply and Floodplain Protection, and Farmland and Historic Preservation Bond Act of 2009, if you don’t prefer brevity. The measure authorizes the State to issue bonds in the amount of $400 million to provide moneys for (1) the acquisition and development of lands for recreation and conservation purposes, including lands that protect water supplies, (2) the preservation of farmland for agricultural or horticultural use and production, (3) the acquisition, for recreation and conservation purposes, of properties that are prone to or have incurred flood or storm damage, and (4) funding historic preservation projects; and providing the ways and means to pay the interest on the debt and also to pay and discharge the principal thereof, with full public disclosure of all spending.

The initiative also funds park improvements and facilities. Of the total sum authorized: (1) $218 million will be used for Green Acres; (2) $146 million will be used for farmland preservation purposes; (3) $24 million will be used for the “Blue Acres” program by which the State may purchase from willing sellers, for open space preservation purposes, properties that are prone to or have incurred flood or storm damage; and (4) $12 million will be used for historic preservation purposes. All spending of the authorized bond proceeds will be subject to full public disclosure.

Ohio

Issue 1 passed in Ohio on November 3rd. This proposed amendment authorizes the state to issue up to $200,000,000 of bonds to provide compensation to Ohio veterans of the Persian Gulf, Afghanistan, and Iraq conflicts, and to pay for the administration of the Persian Gulf, Afghanistan, and Iraq Conflicts Compensation Bond Retirement Fund and the Persian Gulf, Afghanistan, and Iraq Conflicts Compensation Fund.

The State will provide $100 per month, up to $1000, for Ohio veterans who served in the Persian Gulf, Afghanistan, and Iraq conflicts. Furthermore, the State will provide $50 per month, up to $500, for veterans who served elsewhere during those conflicts. In addition, family members of qualified deceased veterans can apply for a $5,000 death benefit.

Issue 3, a ballot measure to allow casino gaming in four major Ohio cities, passed on November 3rd. A 33% tax of gross revenue will be levied on the four casino operators. The tax will be distributed as follows:

• 51% among all 88 counties in proportion to such counties’ respective populations. Half of each county’s distribution will go to its largest city if that city’s population is above 80,000
• 34% among all public school districts
• 5% among all host cities
• 3% to the Ohio casino control commission
• 3% to the Ohio state racing commission fund
• 2% to a state law enforcement training fund
• 2% to a state problem gambling and addictions fund

For a complete reading of the ballot measure from the state of Ohio, click here.

Texas

Proposition 1, Authorizing City and County Financing to Buy Buffer Areas Near Military Installations, passed on November 3rd. The constitutional amendment authorizes the financing, including through tax increment financing, of the acquisition by municipalities and counties of buffer areas or open spaces adjacent to a military installation for the prevention of encroachment or for the construction of roadways, utilities, or other infrastructure to protect or promote the mission of the military installation.

Proposition 2, Requiring Appraisal of Residence Homesteads Based Solely on their Homestead Value, also passed on November 3rd. The constitutional amendment authorizes the legislature to provide for the ad valorem taxation of a residence homestead solely on the basis of the property’s value as a residence homestead.

Proposition 4, Establishing the National Research University Fund, was passed on November 3rd. The National Research University Fund will be established to provide state funding to tier-1 research universities. For a complete reading of the ballot measure, click here.

Proposition 6, Renewing Veterans’ Land Board Bond Authority for Land and Mortgage Loans, passed on November 3rd. The constitutional amendment authorizes the Veterans’ Land Board to issue general obligation bonds in amounts equal to or less than amounts previously authorized.

Proposition 8, Authorizing the State to Contribute Resources to Veterans’ Hospitals, passed on Tuesday, November 3rd. Proposition 8 will add Texas Constitution, Art. 16, sec. 73 to authorize the state to contribute money, property, and other resources to establish, maintain, and operate veterans’ hospitals in Texas. Click here for the Texas House Research Organization’s summary of the ballot measure.

Washington

Initiative Measure 1033, concerning state, county and city revenue, failed in Washington on November 3, 2009. This measure aimed to limit growth of certain state, county and city revenue to annual inflation and population growth, not including voter-approved revenue increases. Revenue collected above the limit would have reduced property tax levies. To read the official text of the failed Initiative Measure, click here.

-Stefan Johansson, Research

Follow-up on 2009 Housing/Property Ballot Measures:

New York:

On November 3rd, voters in New York passed Proposal 1-Constitutional Amendment, an amendment to section 1 of article 14 of the Constitution, in relation to the use of certain forest preserve lands by National Grid to construct a 46 kV power line along State Route 56 in St. Lawrence County. The bill authorizes the Legislature to convey up to six acres of forest preserve land along State Route 56 in St. Lawrence County to National Grid for construction of a power line. In exchange, National Grid will convey to the State at least 10 acres of forest land in St. Lawrence County, to be incorporated into the forest preserve. The land to be conveyed by National Grid to the State must be at least equal in value to the land conveyed to National Grid by the State.

The ballot measure passed with a necessary two-thirds majority vote. For a detailed reading of Proposal 1, visit the official elections page of the state of New York by clicking here.

Texas:

Proposition 1 passed on November 3rd. This constitutional amendment authorizes the financing, including through tax increment financing, of the acquisition by municipalities and counties of buffer areas or open spaces adjacent to a military installation for the prevention of encroachment or for the construction of roadways, utilities, or other infrastructure to protect or promote the mission of the military installation.

According to the Texas House Research Organization, supporters of the amendment say that Proposition 1 is necessary to grant clear, specific authorization for cities and counties to use bonds or notes to buy land to create buffer areas around military installations. In addition they argue that this amendment allows local communities to address a growing need to protect military establishments. Conversely, opponents of Proposition 1 argue that while protecting military bases is a worthy goal, cities and counties should not be given another reason to increase property taxes.

Proposition 3 was also passed on November 3rd, allowing state enforcement of uniform property appraisal standards and procedures. The ballot measure amends the constitution to require the legislature to provide for the administration and enforcement of uniform standards and procedures for appraisal of property for ad valorem tax purposes.

Proposition 3 removes the current constitutional requirement that administrative and judicial enforcement of uniform standards and procedures for property appraisal originate in the county where the tax is imposed. For more information on Proposition 3, visit the Texas House Research Organization.

Proposition 5 was passed in Texas on November 3rd. The constitutional amendment authorizes the legislature to authorize a single board of equalization for two or more adjoining appraisal entities that elect to provide for consolidated equalizations.

According to the Texas House Research Organization, Proposition 5 would amend Texas Constitution, Article 8, section 18(c) to allow two or more adjoining appraisal districts to form a single consolidated board of equalization or appraisal review board. The ballot proposal reads:

• “The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to authorize a single board of equalization for two or more adjoining appraisal entities that elect to provide for consolidated equalizations.”

Supporters say that Proposition 5 would authorize the Legislature to allow adjoining counties to form consolidated appraisal review boards, which could operate more efficiently than separate boards. They also argue that having fully staffed and qualified appraisal review boards would help ensure a more professional, equitable, and timely appraisal review process.

However, opponents of the amendment claim that only residents of an appraisal district should decide appeals of appraisals of property located in that district, local appraisal review boards know their county markets and local economic realities, and bringing in outsiders from another county could result in a loss of local control of a local issue.

Proposition 9 passed November 3rd, a constitutional amendment to protect the right of the public, individually and collectively, to access and use the public beaches bordering the seaward shore of the Gulf of Mexico. The bill, HJR 102, grants the public an unrestricted right to use a public beach. The amendment authorizes the legislature to enact laws to protect these rights.

For detailed readings of all 2009 ballot measures and amendments in Texas, please visit the Texas House Research Organization.

-Stefan Johansson, Research

Follow-up on Education Ballot Measures:

On November 3^rd, voters in Maine rejected a ballot measure to repeal the school district consolidation laws (Question 3: Citizen Initiative). The measure would have repealed the laws related to the consolidation of school administrative units that were enacted by the First Regular Session of the 123rd Legislature in Public Law 2007, chapter 240, Part XXXX. In addition, it would have restored the laws that were amended or repealed to accommodate the consolidation.

Proposition 4 in the state of Texas passed on Tuesday, November 3rd. The amendment will provide a $500 million research fund for Tier-1 universities such as Texas A&M and the University of Texas (Austin). According to the bill, the balance from the Higher Education Fund will be transferred to the National Research University Fund. Tier-1 research universities are considered to be institutions that annually contribute more than $100 million to research. Currently, Texas, with a state population of over 24 million, has only three Tier-1 universities. According to the Texas House Research Organization, supporters of Proposition 4 hope the newly created research fund will increase the number of Tier-1 schools in Texas while helping Texan students to become more competitive in the global workforce. Opponents of the bill claim that the funding criteria could be too difficult for some institutions to achieve, especially historically under-funded institutions as well as those who primarily serve minorities.

-Stefan Johansson, Research

Follow-Up on Veterans Ballot Measures:

All three ballot measures related to Veterans in 2009 passed by comfortable majorities.

Proposition 6 in Texas passed with about 66%  of the vote (see the Texas Secretary of State’s office for the most up-to-date counts).  This amends the constitution so that the Texas Veterans’ Land Board could issue general obligation bonds at their discretion for the benefit of the Veterans’ Land Fund and the Veterans’ Housing Assistance Funds.

Proposition 8 in Texas passed by 75%, thereby allowing the state to partner with federal and local governments in the operation of veterans’ hospitals.

Issue 1 in Ohio passed by about 72% (see the Ohio Secretary of State’s office for the most up-to-date counts), authorizing up to $200 million in bonds for Ohio veterans of conflicts in Iraq, Afghanistan and throughout the Persian Gulf.   This is in accordance with Governor Strickland’s recommendation in his veto letter of HB 649: that such bonuses ought to be funded through bonds, rather than the Budget Stabilization Fund.

-Kristen Vicedomini, Research Director

Follow-Up on Elections and Officials Ballot Measures:

Question 7 in Maine failed to pass, though unofficial election results indicate it was only by a few percentage points.  This constitutional amendment would have extended the amount of time to process direct initiative petitions and redefined the deadlines for people’s veto referendum petitions.

In Texas, Proposition 7: Allowing Members of the Texas State Guard to Hold Civil Office and Proposition 10: Allowing Board Members of Emergency Services Districts to Serve Four Years both passed, along with the 9 other proposed constitutional amendments on the Texas ballot.  Preliminary tallies suggest that over 70% of voters voted “yes” on each of these Propositions.

-Kristen Vicedomini, Research Director

Unofficial results have been coming in across the country for the November 3rd election.  Here are the winners, state-by-state:

California: Congressional District 10

Maine: Ballot Measures

New Jersey: Governor and State Assembly, Ballot Measures

New York: Congressional District 23, Ballot Measures

Ohio: Ballot Measures

Pennsylvania: Justice of the Supreme Court

Texas: Ballot Measures

Virginia: Governor and State House

Washington: Ballot Measures

We are keeping track of two ballot measures relating to education in two states for the 2009 election.  One is on the ballot in Maine and the other is in Texas.

Question 3 in Maine is a statewide referendum attempting to overturn the school district consolidation law passed in 2007 the school district consolidation law passed in 2007 by the Maine State Legislature and subsequently amended in 2008.   The law attempts to consolidate Maine’s 218 school districts into 80 districts.   A yes vote supports repealing the law, while a no vote supports keeping it as it currently is.  This is a significant issue in Maine, and several pieces of related legislation have been discussed in the State House and Senate in 2009.  In June, the Maine Senate voted to keep the program in place, but the House voted to try and repeal it.  Further related legislation includes another vote in June to delay penalties for noncompliance with consolidation by one year.

Proposition 4 in Texas is an attempt to establish a $500 million fund for Tier 1 universities, designated as emerging research universities in the legislation.  The proposition provides that the Texas State Legislature will provide the rules and procedures by which such funding can be available, and it specifically excludes University Of Texas (Austin) and Texas A&M from further funding as both are already Tier 1 schools.  Similar legislation was seen this year in Missouri, where the House passed a joint resolution to authorize the issuance of $700 million in 25 year bonds for a variety of purposes related to institutions of higher education.

-Darren McDivitt, Research Associate

There are two states that have ballot measures dealing with veterans in 2009. Texas and Ohio both have constitutional amendments that relate to those that have served in the military.

Proposition 6 in Texas would amend the constitution to authorize the Texas Veterans’ Land Board to issue general obligation bonds for the purpose of selling land and providing home or land mortgage loans to veterans of the state.  These loans help veterans build or buy homes at a low cost.  Proposition 6 would ensure that the Texas Veterans’ Land Board would permanently do what it currently does instead of needing to receive authorization from the Legislature every 2 years for bonding authority.

Proposition 8 in Texas would allow the state the option of partnering with the federal government and local governments in the operation of veterans hospitals, including providing funding, property, and maintenance.  Texas does not currently have the option of providing any resources to a veterans’ hospital run by the federal government, and Proposition 6 would allow the state to do so.

Issue 1 in Ohio would authorize up to $200 million in bonds for Ohio veterans of conflicts in Iraq, Afghanistan and throughout the Persian Gulf.   Specific provisions of the bill include providing $100 for each month the veteran served- not to exceed $1,000.  Veterans who were station in the Persian Gulf but did not see active combat could qualify for $50 for each month served- not to exceed $500.  Family members of Ohio veterans killed in combat could qualify for a $5,000 death benefit.  The bonds would be issued by the Ohio Department of Veterans Services and could only be issued upon passage through the end of 2013.  A similar measure was passed by the House and Senate in the Ohio State Legislature in December of 2008, but was vetoed by Governor Strickland in January.

-Darren McDivitt, Research Associate

There are twenty-six statewide Ballot Measures up for election on November 3rd, which are spread among six states: Maine, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Texas, and Washington.  Six of these are initiatives, two are citizen referenda, and eighteen are legislative referenda.   If enacted, seventeen would amend state constitutions, seven would change state law, and two would allow the state to issue bonds for certain projects.

There are three constitutional amendments proposed that would directly affect elections and officials themselves:

• Question 7 on Maine’s ballots would extend the amount of time local officials have to certify direct initiative petitions by five days.   To accomplish this, the final deadline for submitting petitions to the Secretary of State would be pushed back by 10 days, and other deadlines would be redefined.  Depending on which day of the week the deadline falls and if there are any legal holidays, petitioners could have up to 2-4 additional days to submit signatures.  This amendment would also change the  deadline of submitting signatures for a people’s veto from 5 days before the final deadline to 3 business days before the final deadline.
• Proposition 7 in Texas would “allow an officer or enlisted member of the Texas State Guard or other state militia or military force to hold other civil offices.”
• Texas’s Proposition 10 would extend the terms of elected members of the governing boards of emergency services districts from two years to four years.  There were also efforts in South Dakota this year to extend term lengths for elected officials.   SJR3 in South Dakota proposed to change state senate terms from two years to four years for those whose term of office begins in a year that ended in a 3 or 7.  While this passed in the state senate, the state house rejected it.  Had it received a majority in both houses of the legislature, this would have appeared as a ballot measure as well. 
  

-Kristen Vicedomini, Research Director

As our second summer in Montana draws to a close, it’s important to reflect upon something.  Project Vote Smart truly is a national organization, and it is pretty extraordinary in this way.  Not only do interns come from all corners of the country (from California to Maine, Florida to Wisconsin, and Texas to Indiana), but membership exists in all 50 states.  As we know very well, simply to get from one office to the other, it is necessary to travel through Arizona, Utah, Idaho and Montana.  Or, if you’re doing it the long way like we are, Montana, Idaho, Washington, Oregon, California, and Arizona.  What better opportunity is there to learn a bit about these states than from the perspective of two veteran PVS staff members?  Thus, we’ve decided to write in our blog along the way to share a bit about each of the states we’re going to see.

-Bonnie Wolf, Tucson Office Director and Tallie Spiller, Internship Coordinator