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Voters to decide fate of state, county ballot issues
The following state and county ballot propositions will be up for a vote on Nov. 3. For more information, contact the Secretary of State's Office at 542-8683. Details on the propositions, including arguments for and against each one, can also be found at the office's Web site: www.sosaz.com.
Proposition 100 - Constitutional amendment adding rules (consistent with current law and practices) relating to public retirement systems.
Proposition 101 - Constitutional amendment (referred by Legislature) that would change the name of the Commission on Salaries for Elective State Officers to the Arizona Citizens Commission on Salaries for Elective State Officers. The panel's membership would be increased from 5 to 11 members. Six of those members would be appointed by the secretary of state, with the remaining five appointed jointly by the House speaker and Senate president. The commission would report every two years to the governor and the Legislature with recommendations for salaries of elected state officers beginning in 1999.
Proposition 102 - Constitutional amendment (referred by Legislature) relating to investment of state trust funds. It would expand investment options to include equity securities, such as stocks, as well as interest-bearing securities. Permanent trust funds would be managed by a Board of Investment, which could not invest more than 60 percent of a fund in equities. Only stocks listed on a national exchange could be purchased, and not more than 5 percent of permanent funds combined could be invested in equities issued by the same entity unless issued and guaranteed by the federal government. New proceeds resulting from anticipated higher returns on investments would go toward public education.
Proposition 103 - Constitutional amendment that would allow any registered voter in the state to vote in a partisan primary election. Supporters say the measure would give a voice at the polls to the almost 14 percent of the state's registered voters who have chosen to list no party preference, register as "independent," or as members of small parties not officially recognized in Arizona. Opponents say the measure violates the right of political parties to govern their own internal structure and policies.
Proposition 104 - Constitutional amendment (referred by Legislature) relating to initiative and referendum. Current law allows the Legislature, by majority vote, to amend or repeal ballot measures approved by voters, unless the measure was passed by a majority of all registered voters in the state. Proposed changes (which would apply to any ballot measure approved by a majority of those who voted on a measure) include prohibiting a veto by governor; prohibiting repeal by the Legislature until at least five years have passed since the measure's approval; and requiring a two-thirds vote of the Legislature to amend or modify the approved measure.
Supporters say Prop. 104 is needed to ensure that lawmakers respect the will of the people by raising the standard by which the Legislature may change voter-approved referendums. Opponents say it still leaves lawmakers with too much power to alter or cancel out the public's will, and that it was designed by lawmakers to create voter confusion with Proposition 105.
Proposition 105 - Proposing an amendment to the state Constitution by initiative petition relating to initiative and referendum. Known by supporters as the Voter Protection Act, Proposition 105 would prohibit the governor from vetoing measures approved by voters, and prohibit the Legislature from ever repealing or amending the measure without a three-fourths majority vote of lawmakers. Supporters say this measure is necessary to prevent lawmakers from overriding the will of voters. Opponents say the measure is inferior to Proposition 104 because it fails to protect existing initiated or referred law (only measures decided at and after the 1998 general election); and that the three-fourths-majority override requirement would put too much power in the hands of the one-quarter minority.
Proposition 200 - Proposing an act by initiative petition relating to a campaign finance funding and reporting system. Proposition 200 would establish a system for the public funding of election campaigns for political candidates who voluntarily participate in a system to limit campaign spending and fund-raising in statewide and state legislative elections. It would reduce by 20 percent the amount per individual that can currently be contributed to a candidate if they opt not to receive public funding. It also would establish a Citizens Clean Election Commission to disburse funds and oversee the system. Changes would be funded in part through a 10 percent surcharge on certain civil penalties and criminal fines, and a $100 annual fee on lobbyists representing for-profit entities.
Supporters say the measure is needed to reduce the clout of special interests and allow candidates without access to wealth to run for office. Opponents say the measure raises taxes, allows public dollars to go toward fringe candidates with little support for their agendas, and creates added bureaucracy.
Proposition 201 - Proposing an act by initiative petition relating to creating the crime of cockfighting - making it illegal to own, possess or train a male chicken to have it fight another.
Proposition 202 - Proposing an act by initiative petition relating to creating a federal candidates' IRS pledge. This would amend state law to allow, but not require, Arizona candidates for United States President, Senate or House to pledge to advocate and vote for the elimination of the federal income tax and the abolition of the federal Internal Revenue Service through the enactment of a "national consumption tax."
Proposition 300 - Referendum relating to the medical use of Schedule I drugs. If the proposition passes, doctors could begin prescribing Schedule I drugs, including heroin, LSD, marijuana and certain analogs of PCP, only after the federal Food and Drug Administration approves or the U.S. Congress authorizes the medical use of marijuana or reclassifies marijuana as a drug that doctors can prescribe. This would uphold a 1997 measure passed by the state Legislature. If it does not pass, doctors could continue to prescribe the Schedule I drugs listed above without any further authorization from the federal government, under terms of the Drug Medicalization, Prevention and Control Act passed by voters in 1996 but subsequently revised by the Legislature.
Supporters say broadly legalizing Schedule I drugs is not in the best interests of patients and society, and would encourage more usage of the drugs through illegal channels. Opponents say the Legislature had no right to overrule the public vote on the 1996 measure, which they say would have helped more people get help for drug problems.
Proposition 301 - Referendum relating to probation eligibility for drug possession or use.
The voter-passed 1996 Drug Medicalization, Prevention and Control Act modified probation, sentencing and treatment laws for drug offenders. The state Legislature subsequently passed Senate Bill 1373, which established a more comprehensive sentencing system, and which Proposition 301 now puts to a public vote. Voters will decide whether to allow the provisions of SB 1373 to take effect (Yes vote) or to restore the 1996 provisions (No vote).
Proposition 302 - Recommendation by the Commission on Salaries for Elective State Officers relating to salaries for state legislators, which calls for an increase in the annual compensation of state legislators to $24,000 from $15,000 . State lawmakers' pay would rise from the 25th-highest in the nation to be ranked 18th. The commission also recommends that legislators receive the same per-diem reimbursement as received by non-elective state public employees.
Proposition 303 - An act referred by the Legislature relating to appropriation of funds for open-space land. The proposition would provide $20 million of state general revenue each year for 11 years to purchase or lease state "trust land" to preserve land from development as open space, under the "Growing Smarter Act" passed by lawmakers. Supporters say the measure will help preserve scenic and open-space projects without creating a new tax or extending an existing one. Opponents say the measure was written to protect large developers and stop growth-management efforts, since it prohibits the state from requiring that development pay its way through mandatory development impact fees.
Proposition 304 - An act referred by the Legislature relating to the state lottery termination date. If voters approve Proposition 304, the Arizona State Lottery will be scheduled to terminate on July 1, 2003. If it is not approved, the lottery is scheduled to end on July 1, 1999. Supporters say lottery proceeds are necessary to fund transportation systems and natural resource conservation efforts. Opponents say the state lottery has been plagued by waste and mismanagement, and the government should not encourage gambling.
Propositions 400 and 401 - To build and operate new jails in Maricopa County. Proposition 400 authorizes the county to collect a jail tax and accumulate revenues to be used for jail buildings, land and improvements. The county is asking voters to approve a temporary one-fifth of a cent sales tax to build and operate new jail and juvenile detention facilities. Proposition 401 authorizes the county to spend the revenue on the new jail facilities.
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