Be ready to vote on six state proposals on the Nov. 6 ballot. BALLOT PROPOSALS: November Voting May Be Confused by Multiple Issues
September 16, 2012
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Voters: be prepared. You could be standing in line a long time if everyone isn't informed and ready to vote on six state proposals on the Nov. 6 ballot.
Our recommendation: Get an absentee ballot early from your city or township clerk, or use one sent recently to many voters by State Rep. Charles Brunner, and study the proposals carefully before voting.
The non-partisan Citizens Research Council (CRC) has analyzed the six proposals to amend the state constitution approved by the Michigan Supreme Court for the Nov. 6 statewide ballot.
The state high court last week approved three proposals for the Nov. 6 election ballot but rejected a fourth measure that would have authorized eight more gaming casinos. Justices scrapped the casino proposal because it didn't disclose that it would affect the power of the state Liquor Control Commission.
CRC is raising the question whether amending the constitution is the appropriate place for such considerations:
"Several proposed amendments to the 1963 Michigan Constitution submitted to voters either by the legislature or by initiative petition in recent years (and in particular this year) have contained enough detail to raise the question of whether the Constitution is the appropriate place for such detailed and often complex provisions, regardless of their public policy merits.
"Michigan electors will vote on proposed constitutional amendments at the November 6, 2012, general election. A review of the proposed amendments reveals that several are quite lengthy, go into substantial technical detail, and deal with issues that would be found in statutory law, not in the constitutions, of most states."
Short summaries of the ballot wording of the proposals follows:
PROPOSAL 12-1
A REFERENDUM ON PUBLIC ACT 4 OF 2011 - THE EMERGENCY MANAGER LAW
Public Act 4 of 2011 would:
Establish criteria to assess the financial condition of local government units, including school districts.
Authorize Governor to appoint an emergency manager (EM) upon state finding of a financial emergency, and allow the EM to act in place of local government officials.
PROPOSAL 12-2
"A proposal to amend the state constitution regarding collective bargaining.
"This proposal would:
"Grant public and private employees the constitutional right to organize and bargain collectively through labor unions.
"Invalidate existing or future state or local laws that limit the ability to join unions and bargain collectively, and to negotiate and enforce collective bargaining agreements, including employees' financial support of their labor unions. Laws may be enacted to prohibit public employees from striking."
PROPOSAL 12-3
A PROPOSAL TO AMEND THE STATE CONSTITUTION TO ESTABLISH A STANDARD FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY
This proposal would:
Require electric utilities to provide at least 25 percent of their annual retail sales of electricity from renewable energy sources, which are wind, solar, biomass, and hydropower, by 2025.
PROPOSAL 12-4
A PROPOSAL TO AMEND THE STATE CONSTITUTION TO ESTABLISH THE MICHIGAN QUALITY HOME CARE COUNCIL AND PROVIDE COLLECTIVE BARGAINING FOR IN-HOME CARE WORKERS
This proposal would:
Allow in-home care workers to bargain collectively with the Michigan Quality Home Care Council (MQHCC). Continue the current exclusive representative of in-home care workers until modified in accordance with labor laws.
PROPOSAL 12-5
A PROPOSAL TO AMEND THE STATE CONSTITUTION TO LIMIT THE ENACTMENT OF NEW TAXES BY STATE GOVERNMENT
This proposal would:
Require a 2/3 majority vote of the State House and the State Senate, or a statewide vote of the people at a November election, in order for the State of Michigan to impose new or additional taxes on taxpayers or expand the base of taxation or increasing the rate of taxation.
PROPOSAL 12-6
A PROPOSAL TO AMEND THE STATE CONSTITUTION REGARDING CONSTRUCTION OF INTERNATIONAL BRIDGES AND TUNNELS
This proposal would:
Require the approval of a majority of voters at a statewide election and in each municipality where "new international bridges or tunnels for motor vehicles" are to be located before the State of Michigan may expend state funds or resources for acquiring land, designing, soliciting bids for, constructing, financing, or promoting new international bridges or tunnels.
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