referendum
Earlier this week Paul Jacob in his daily commentary on ThisIsCommonSense.com discussed Colorado’s Referendum O.
The measure, created by the state legislature, aims at restricting the citizen petition initiative. Even though the measure was defeated by Colorado voters, members of the legislature are pushing through a fast tracked bill in hopes at curtailing the process.
Read more at ThisIsCommonSense.com
The Minnesota House on Saturday got behind $1.5 billion in assorted tax increases affecting smokers, drinkers, homeowners, high-end income earners and others. The vote was 68-65, with all Republicans and some Democrats in opposition.
The weekend debate occurred a day after the state Senate narrowly voted to boost taxes by $2.2 billion, mainly through the income tax. Both House and Senate bills are running headlong into Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty’s promise to veto any tax increase that reaches him.
The Dallas City Secretary has created this list of polling places for the upcoming May 9 election. Also listed are Propositions 1 and 2. Proposition 1 would prevent the city from owning a hotel. Proposition 2 would require voter approval anytime the city gives more than $1,000,000 to a private developer.
Read the story from the Dallas Morning News
In addition to electing two statewide offices and several local races, Wisconsinites voted on several referendums Tuesday. Voters in six school districts weighed in on funding referendums.
City officials are considering a challenge to a recent Arizona Supreme Court ruling that requires officials to use a lower signature threshold to verify referendum petitions than previously used. On March 26 the Arizona Court of Appeals a lower court decision that held Phoenix’s method for evaluating petitions violated the state’s constitution. The case hinges on what election signature requirement should be tied to.
Illinois voters will head to the polls Tuesday to vote on a variety of issues. Advisory referendums dealing with issues ranging from tax measures to highway construction to secession from counties will be up for a vote.
Back in December, the Maryland Court of Appeals upheld a lower court decision that mandated signatures on referendum petitions exactly mirror signatures on voter registration cards. So, if someone is registered as “John Paul Smith” but signs a petition “John P. Smith” or “John Smith” then his signature is not counted. Dubbed the “mirror law”, referendum process supporters have charged that it makes it impossible to mount a successful referendum campaign in the state.
State Representative Owen Drake of Leeds said today that he will introduce into the Alabama House of Representatives on March 10th a bill to reorganize the Jefferson County Government. The bill creates a separation of executive from legislative powers of the county. It provides for a Chief Executive…to establish agenda initiative and voter referendum provisions;… (READ MORE)
Contrary to what Mayor Oscar Goodman and his loyal followers on the Las Vegas City Council might believe, they do not enjoy unlimited power — not in matters affecting city policy and downtown redevelopment, and certainly not in quashing the referendum process to sabotage an election.
As far as Sen. Joey Fillinganeis concerned, there’s more than one way to solve the issue of voter identification in Mississippi.
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Fillingane, R-Sumrall, has filed an initiative with the Mississippi Secretary of State office, that if successful, would let the state’s voters decide whether they should have to show identification at the polls.
“We got the green light on Feb. 11,” Fillingane said. “It’s not going to be easy, but then, it shouldn’t be.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - The 2009 legislative session will be dominated by the struggle to handle an economy that keeps on sliding, but it’s not all lawmakers will be dealing with when they begin work Tuesday.
More than 2,000 bills have been filed for consideration during the 60-day session covering a wide area of subjects ”” cell phone use in cars, making government records more accessible, sexual education in schools, the regulation of tanning salons and much more.
Last week Citizens In Charge Foundation asked citizens “Do you support the recent spending measures?” The poll was in response to the incredible amount of buzz created by CNBC’s Rick Santelli.
On national television the journalist stated “the government is promoting bad behavior” with the bailouts and proporosed a national referendum on the spending measures.
The results are quite astonishing. You can check them out here.
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A proposed bill that would attach fiscal impact statements to citizen-led initiative questions is being championed by its sponsor as a move toward transparency, but opponents said it would create an unfair disadvantage.
With a primary election three months away, campaign politics flared Tuesday at Scranton City Council. Unhappy speakers took shots at the lawmakers running for re-election, then lawmakers took shots at each other.
Council bickered as it chose not to endorse changes to state law sought by state Rep. Kevin Murphy, D113, Scranton. The plan would alter state home-rule charter law to require a voter referendum for “excessive” tax increases by Lackawanna County. It would not directly affect the city.