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Voters will decide eight propositions on November general election ballot
Thelma Grimes/San Pedro Valley News-Sun
In the Nov. 4 general election, Arizona voters will be considering eight propositions ranging from property taxes to whether or not same-sex couples can be married.
In what has become a national controversy, Arizona residents will now weigh in on the same-sex marriage issue. On the ballot, the initiative is known as Proposition 102, a proposal to amend the Arizona Constitution by adding an amendment relating to marriage.
Arizona Secretary of State Janet Brewer and Attorney General Terry Goddard had to spend extra time on the wording for the election ballot.
"I am heartened that Attorney General Goddard and I were able to find an equitable solution which puts forward impartial ballot language on this matter," Brewer said. "In the end, I think this ballot language will put the question clearly to the public as to whether to define marriage as a union between one man and one woman in the Arizona Constitution."
The ballot will state, "A yes vote shall have the effect of amending the Arizona Constitution to define marriage as a union between one man and one woman, while maintaining the current statutory law of the State of Arizona, which prohibits marriage between persons of the same sex.
"A no vote shall have the effect of maintaining the current statutory law of the State or Arizona, which prohibits marriage between persons of the same sex, but would not amend the Arizona Constitution to define marriage as a union between one man and one woman."
If approved, the new section would state, "Only a union of one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized as a marriage in this state."
Another controversial topic on the ballot is the Payday Loan Reform Act, or Proposition 200. The Arizonans for Financial Reform Committee gather the signatures to put the issue on the ballot.
According to the statement submitted to Brewer, residents should vote yes on the proposition because, "Arizonans use payday loans every day to meet unforeseen expenses and financial emergencies. The payday lending industry is set to be eliminated and the Arizona Legislature refuses to enact reforms to benefit borrowers while preserving this important financial option. This measure will bring dramatic pro-consumer reform to payday lending and preserve consumer choice. It includes a substantial rate cut, eliminates rolling over principal to extend a loan, creates a repayment plan at no cost to customers that can't meet their obligations, and inhibits a borrower's ability to obtain more than one loan at a time."
Elsewhere on the ballot, Proposition 100 calls for no new home taxes. If approved, the initiative prohibits the government from charging any new tax on the sale or transfer or real property in Arizona. Currently, there are no real property sales or transfer taxes in Arizona, but according to the proposition text, "the government could enact a real property sale or transfer tax at any time. This initiative would prohibit the enactment of any new real property sales or transfer tax by a constitutional amendment."
Staying with issues facing homeowners, Proposition 201 calls for a Homeowners Bill of Rights, providing a 10-year warranty on new homes.
This will give new homeowners the right to demand correction of construction defects and compensation.
With illegal immigration remaining a hot topic in Arizona and the nation, Proposition 202, if approved by voters, would put even more restrictions and penalties on employers who hire illegal immigrants.
Called the Stop Hiring Act, the initiative calls for "crack-downs on unethical businesses who hire illegal immigrants. This initiative targets employers who hire workers and pay under-the-table in cash, which fuels illegal immigration in Arizona. It revokes the business license of employers who knowingly or intentionally hire illegal immigrants."
Voters in the 2006 election overwhelmingly approved new laws to increase penalties for employers hiring illegal immigrants. The law went into effect in January, but to date no arrests have been made.
Another initiative set to protect residents from higher taxes in the future is Proposition 105, or the "Majority Rules" initiative.
The proposal states, "The initiative is to protect the will of the people of Arizona for fiscal responsibility through true majority rule. Any initiative that imposes additional taxes or spending must have support from a majority of qualified electors in Arizona. Currently, initiatives that increase taxes or spending can pass with approval from a minority of qualified electors. In the past, big money and special interest groups have pushed higher spending and taxes. Arizona now faces one of the largest deficits of any state in the country. We must protect the will of the people and let a true majority of the voters decide."
Proposition 101 would give Arizonans a choice when it comes to medical care. Known as the Freedom of Choice Healthcare Act, a yes vote would "preserve and protect the rights of individuals to make their own health care and health insurance choices. Currently, many lobbyists and special interest groups in Arizona and around the country are promoting policies that would limit or even eliminate the ability of people to have choices when seeking out health care for themselves and their families. This initiative will guarantee the right of Arizonans to make their own health care choices. Lobbyists and special interests will see their power to control and dictate your health care limited."
In the Nov. 4 general election, Arizona voters will be considering eight propositions ranging from property taxes to whether or not same-sex couples can be married.
In what has become a national controversy, Arizona residents will now weigh in on the same-sex marriage issue. On the ballot, the initiative is known as Proposition 102, a proposal to amend the Arizona Constitution by adding an amendment relating to marriage.
Arizona Secretary of State Janet Brewer and Attorney General Terry Goddard had to spend extra time on the wording for the election ballot.
"I am heartened that Attorney General Goddard and I were able to find an equitable solution which puts forward impartial ballot language on this matter," Brewer said. "In the end, I think this ballot language will put the question clearly to the public as to whether to define marriage as a union between one man and one woman in the Arizona Constitution."
The ballot will state, "A yes vote shall have the effect of amending the Arizona Constitution to define marriage as a union between one man and one woman, while maintaining the current statutory law of the State of Arizona, which prohibits marriage between persons of the same sex.
"A no vote shall have the effect of maintaining the current statutory law of the State or Arizona, which prohibits marriage between persons of the same sex, but would not amend the Arizona Constitution to define marriage as a union between one man and one woman."
If approved, the new section would state, "Only a union of one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized as a marriage in this state."
Another controversial topic on the ballot is the Payday Loan Reform Act, or Proposition 200. The Arizonans for Financial Reform Committee gather the signatures to put the issue on the ballot.
According to the statement submitted to Brewer, residents should vote yes on the proposition because, "Arizonans use payday loans every day to meet unforeseen expenses and financial emergencies. The payday lending industry is set to be eliminated and the Arizona Legislature refuses to enact reforms to benefit borrowers while preserving this important financial option. This measure will bring dramatic pro-consumer reform to payday lending and preserve consumer choice. It includes a substantial rate cut, eliminates rolling over principal to extend a loan, creates a repayment plan at no cost to customers that can't meet their obligations, and inhibits a borrower's ability to obtain more than one loan at a time."
Elsewhere on the ballot, Proposition 100 calls for no new home taxes. If approved, the initiative prohibits the government from charging any new tax on the sale or transfer or real property in Arizona. Currently, there are no real property sales or transfer taxes in Arizona, but according to the proposition text, "the government could enact a real property sale or transfer tax at any time. This initiative would prohibit the enactment of any new real property sales or transfer tax by a constitutional amendment."
Staying with issues facing homeowners, Proposition 201 calls for a Homeowners Bill of Rights, providing a 10-year warranty on new homes.
This will give new homeowners the right to demand correction of construction defects and compensation.
With illegal immigration remaining a hot topic in Arizona and the nation, Proposition 202, if approved by voters, would put even more restrictions and penalties on employers who hire illegal immigrants.
Called the Stop Hiring Act, the initiative calls for "crack-downs on unethical businesses who hire illegal immigrants. This initiative targets employers who hire workers and pay under-the-table in cash, which fuels illegal immigration in Arizona. It revokes the business license of employers who knowingly or intentionally hire illegal immigrants."
Voters in the 2006 election overwhelmingly approved new laws to increase penalties for employers hiring illegal immigrants. The law went into effect in January, but to date no arrests have been made.
Another initiative set to protect residents from higher taxes in the future is Proposition 105, or the "Majority Rules" initiative.
The proposal states, "The initiative is to protect the will of the people of Arizona for fiscal responsibility through true majority rule. Any initiative that imposes additional taxes or spending must have support from a majority of qualified electors in Arizona. Currently, initiatives that increase taxes or spending can pass with approval from a minority of qualified electors. In the past, big money and special interest groups have pushed higher spending and taxes. Arizona now faces one of the largest deficits of any state in the country. We must protect the will of the people and let a true majority of the voters decide."
Proposition 101 would give Arizonans a choice when it comes to medical care. Known as the Freedom of Choice Healthcare Act, a yes vote would "preserve and protect the rights of individuals to make their own health care and health insurance choices. Currently, many lobbyists and special interest groups in Arizona and around the country are promoting policies that would limit or even eliminate the ability of people to have choices when seeking out health care for themselves and their families. This initiative will guarantee the right of Arizonans to make their own health care choices. Lobbyists and special interests will see their power to control and dictate your health care limited."
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Kevin wrote on Sep 26, 2008 5:19 AM:
http://stopproposition202.com "