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November initiatives
Continued from Page 4
nearly impossible threshold to reach.
Maine voters may veto Governor Bal-
dacci’s tax increase on beer, wine
and soft drinks to fund the Dirigo
Health Choice program, after citi
zens collected enough signatures to
force a referendum. Massachusetts
voters can, though likely won’t, repeal
their state income tax via Question
1. Oregonians will decide whether to
allow state income taxpayers to fully
deduct their federal income taxes ala
Measure 59.
3. South Dakota Initiated Measure
10, The Open and Clean Government
Act, would prevent the use of public
funds for any “campaign, lobbying,
or partisan purposes.” The measure
prevents those who receive no-bid
state contracts from making politi
cal contributions to the politicians
awarding them the contract. Measure
10 also blocks the current practice of
laundering tax dollars through county
and municipal associations and other
tax-supported groups to then be used
in ballot measure campaigns and lob
bying efforts.
Not surprisingly, the South Dakota
Association of County Commissioners,
supported by tax dollars from each of
the 66 counties in the state, is oppos
ing the initiative. Both the state’s
Republican and Democratic parties
also urge a No vote on Measure 10.
2. California Proposition 7, Renew
able Energy Generation. This statu
tory measure, known as “Big Solar,”
would require utilities to generate
20% of their power from renewable
energy by 2010, 40% by 2020 and
50% by 2025. Supporters claim it will
make California a leader in renewable
energy and improve the environment.
Opponents say it will cost consum
ers dearly in higher utility rates and
could be counter-productive in devel
oping renewable energy.
A July Field Poll found Califor
nians largely unaware of the measure,
but 63% were supportive compared to
24% against it. However, opponents,
with help from PG&E and Edison,
will have the funds to get their mes
sage to voters.
Another California measure, Prop
10, sometimes called “Big Wind,”
would provide $5 billion in bond
money to subsidize alternative fuels.
Missouri voters will decide Proposi
tion C, which, similar to California’s
Prop 7, would mandate that 15% of
the energy generated or purchased
by investor-owned utilities be from
renewable sources.
1. Constitutional Convention Calls
in Connecticut, Hawaii and Illinois.
Eleven states require that voters
automatically be asked whether to
call a constitutional convention to
consider amendments and revisions
to the state’s constitution every ten
or 20 years. This year a question
appears on the ballot in Connecticut,
Hawaii and Illinois.
These questions tend to fail by
significant margins, but with voters
so thoroughly dissatisfied, that might
change this year. Grassroots cam
paigns to win a Yes vote have sprung
up in all three states. Campaigns
against holding a convention have
organized, too, funded by powerful
business and labor interests in each
state.
In Connecticut and Illinois, there
are two striking features of the cam
paigns in favor of a convention. First,
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THE ISLANDER, OCTOBER 13, 2008, PAGE 7
the coalitions include anti-tax conser
vatives alongside social justice advo
cates. Second, this broad coalition
doesn’t speak of enacting their diverse
agendas. Instead, the main focus is
on obtaining a statewide process of
voter initiative and referendum (and
in Illinois’ case, recall, too). These
voter-powered reforms are seen as the
critical step to making government in
some way accountable to the public.
Back in the summer, a poll showed
the Illinois constitutional convention
question ahead, but the opposition is
much better funded and organized.
And the measure must garner a
supermajority, 60% of the vote, in
order to prevail.
In Connecticut, the last time a ques
tion was on the ballot it got creamed,
3 to 1. Still, there is strong support
for allowing voter initiatives, and the
convention is arguably the best way to
enact that process. Recently, Repub
lican Governor Jodi Rell endorsed a
Yes vote on the convention, for just
that reason.
We may not always like our choic
es, but we want to make more of them
- to have more control over our gov
ernment. Though no process is ever
perfect, this November’s 61 statewide
initiatives and referenda, along with
another 84 measures referred to state
ballots by legislators, give voters more
say.
That’s a step in the right direction.
□
Halloween Dance Party
Golden Isles Dancers will hold a
Halloween Dance Party on Sunday
October 19 at The Brunswick Shrine
Club, route 17 N Brunswick from 5-8
p.m. Live Music will be provided by
Lorna Greenwood. A free dance lesson
is available at 4:30 p.m.
Costumes are optional. Prizes for
best costumes. Admission is $25 in
Advance or $30 at the door. Guests
are asked to bring a pot luck dish and
a beverage of their choice. Singles and
couples are welcome.
For reservations, mail your check
to: The Golden Isles Ballroom Danc
ers, 208 Five Pounds Road, St. Simons
Island, GA 31522 or email wendy -
dancer@comcast.net. “I
land Automotive Center
"We care about your cars needs"
plete Automotive Service & Maintenance
kework, Front End Alignments & A.C.
uthorized Michelin Tire Dealer
0 Airport Road 638-0888
\cated at the Airport on St. Simons
The authorized documentary about the life of legendary
UGA football coach and athletic director Vince Dooley.
Available at www.VinceDooleyDVD.com