Arizonans could see 11 initiatives on November ballot


Published on Friday, July 11, 2008

Inside Tucson Business



With the final push to get proposals on the ballot now complete, it looks as though Arizonans will have to make up their minds on 11 initiatives. The Pima County elections office said there are no local propositions that will be on November’s ballot. Below are the 11 proposals on which voters will get to decide. All information is from the secretary of state’s website. Two of the proposals have been officially approved. The other nine appear to have enough signatures, but are in the process of verification.


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Marriage On ballot

A concurrent resolution proposing an amendment to the Arizona Constitution. It would amend the constitution, adding an article defining marriage as a union of one man and one woman.

State Legislator’s Salaries On ballot

Would increase salaries for legislators to $30,000 per year.

Medical Choice for Arizona Signatures being verified

The "Freedom of Choice in Health Care Act" would protect the rights of individuals to make their own healthcare and health insurance choices. The group sponsoring this proposal says many lobbyists and special-interest groups in Arizona and around the country are promoting policies that would limit or eliminate the ability of people to have choices when seeking health care.

Protect Our Homes Signatures being verified

This initiative would prohibit the enactment of any new real property sales or transfer tax by a constitutional amendment. Currently, there are no real property sales or transfer taxes in Arizona. However, the Arizona Association of Realtors, which sponsored the proposal, says the government could enact a real property sale or transfer tax at any time.

Majority Rules - Let the People Decide Signatures being verified

This proposal says that 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 only a minority of qualified electors.

Conserving Arizona’s Water and Land Signatures being verified

This measure would permanently conserve and protect approximately 580,000 acres of important natural areas in Arizona and provide an opportunity for conserving additional lands. State trust lands throughout Arizona would be conserved, protecting more of Arizona’s land and water for future generations.

Arizona Civil Rights Initiative Signatures being verified

This proposal would amend the state constitution to prohibit preferential treatment or discrimination by state government, state universities, colleges, community colleges, school districts, counties and local governments to any individual or group based on race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin in the operation of public employment, public education or public contracting. The amendment would not prohibit bona fide qualifications based on sex that are reasonably necessary to the normal operation of government.

Stop Illegal Hiring Signatures being verified

This initiative is designed to crack down on businesses that hire undocumented immigrants. It targets employers who hire workers and pay under-the-table in cash. Unlike the law currently in place, this initiative would revoke the business license of employers who knowingly or intentionally hire illegal immigrants on the first offense.

Payday Loan Reform Act Signatures being verified

The payday lending industry is set to be eliminated and the Legislature has not enacted measures to preserve it. This measure says it would bring 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 who can’t meet their obligations, and inhibits a borrower’s ability to obtain more than one loan at a time.

Transportation and Infrastructure Moving Arizona’s Economy ("TIME") Act Signatures being verified

This initiative would levy a one-cent increase in statewide sales taxes over 30 years for the construction of highways, freeways and roads; create rail options for commuters and travelers; and protect the environment by creating better bike paths, walkways, and safer school routes.

Homeowners’ Bill of Rights Signatures being verified

This measure would provide for a 10-year warranty on new homes and give consumers the right to demand the correction of construction defects or compensation. They could sue if no agreement can be reached with the builder. It would give homeowners the right to cancel within 100 days and get back most of their deposit.

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Comments

Jody wrote on Jul 12, 2008 9:45 AM:

" Given the current status of the Building Industry where unskilled workers- particularly with the hiring of illegal immigrants- are not supervised with the kind of scrutiny that is required in order to avoid serious construction defects. We can't do enough to protect consumers from builders and contractors who refuse to be accountable for their shoddy work. For many, our homes are one of our most valuable investments and to not be able to protect ourselves from losing it to negligent and irresponsible contractors is criminal and a slap to consumers. "

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