News
California: Reform Groups Merge, Revive Budget Ballot Initiative
Two California governance reform groups have combined forces and resurrected a budget accountability initiative using what every successful ballot measure needs: Cash.
With matching $3 million pledges, billionaire Nicolas Berggruen and his California Think Long Committee is joining forces with California Forward, a government reform organization led by former Contra Costa Supervisor Sunne Wright McPeak and former Democratic Assembly Speaker Bob Hertzberg.
The Think Long Committee last week announced it would postpone its reform initiative until 2014.
Nevada: Early Voting Begins in Recall of Las Vegas City Councilman
As early voting began today, the negative back-and-forth continued in the special recall election for the Ward 6 spot on the Las Vegas City Council, featuring incumbent Steve Ross and his challenger, Byron Goynes.
Two early voting centers have been operating today for the special election, which Ross claims is being spurred by car dealer Joe Scala, who was denied a waiver to continue operating a dealership in Centennial Hills, which is in Ross’ ward.
Missouri: E-Verify Rivals Spend More in Springfield Ballot Measure
Groups on either side of the proposed E-Verify ordinance have begun spending money to woo voters, with opponents so far outspending supporters more than 10-to-1.
In a Jan. 22 email sent to Springfield City Council and others, Grupo Latinoamericano President Yolanda Lorge said opponents of the ballot measure had spent about $20,000, mostly on printed material and a phone campaign.
Arkansas: Gov. Beebe Unsure About Severance Tax Support
Gov. Mike Beebe said Wednesday (Jan. 25) he is “re-evaluating” his support for a proposed ballot initiative that would raise Arkansas’ severance tax.
Sheffield Nelson, a former natural gas company executive, has received ballot title approval from Arkansas Attorney General Dustin McDaniel for a referendum to raise severance tax on natural gas to 7% and exclude current loopholes. The tax could raise as much as $250 million a year, with the money dedicated for Arkansas highways.
Maine: State Poised for 2nd Public Vote on Gay Marriage
Gay marriage supporters in Maine say they’re moving forward to put the issue up for a statewide vote this year.
Three activist groups have collected far more than the 50,000-some signatures needed to put gay marriage on the ballot and said Thursday that they intend to submit their petitions.
Wisconsin: Poll - Gov. Scott Walker Would Win Recall Election
The Marquette Law School poll of Wisconsin voters released Wednesday shows Wisconsin Republican Governor Scott Walker holding a lead over all four of his potential Democratic opponents in the event of a recall election in Wisconsin.
Mr. Walker is currently awaiting the Wisconsin Government Accountability Board to complete its review of the signatures that were recently submitted by Walker recall activists.
New Jersey: Christie Calls for Same-Sex Marriage Referendum
Opening a new front in the battle over same-sex marriage, Gov. Christie called Tuesday for the issue to be put to voters in November as a proposed amendment to the state constitution.
The Republican governor’s proposal, which would need three-fifths approval in the Legislature to be implemented, could for the first time in U.S. history ask voters to legalize same-sex marriage via a ballot question.
Michigan: Ballot Initiative Would Put MI on the Cutting Edge of Renewable Energy
This November Michigan voters may get a chance to put Michigan among the forefront of states in renewable energy usage, pending a petition that would put the initiative on the 2012 ballot. The proposed ballot initiative would require that 25% of Michigan’s energy utilities come from renewable energy sources by 2025, a significant increase from the 4% that currently comes from renewable energy. By putting the initiative directly on the November ballot, the Michigan Jobs & Energy Coalition (which filed the proposed language change) would supersede the Michigan Legislature and put the power directly in the hands of voters.
California: Initiative Would Abolish High-Speed Rail Authority
A petition for a ballot initiative to abolish the California High-Speed Rail Authority was approved for circulation Tuesday.
The measure seeks voter approval of a constitutional amendment to eliminate the body tasked with overseeing a high speed rail system linking Northern California to Southern California. Voters in Nov. 2010 passed Proposition authorizing $9.95 in general obligation bonds to get the project underway. However, in recent months, the project has come under increasing criticism for the planned route, costs and management. The Authority CEO resigned earlier this month.
Massachusetts: Teachers Union Taking Ballot Question to Court
The state’s largest teachers union plans to file a lawsuit against the state today for allowing a ballot initiative that would radically alter job protection for teachers in Massachusetts public schools to move forward.
The Massachusetts Teachers Association contends that the ballot initiative fails to meet constitutional muster and should have never been certified last summer by Attorney General Martha Coakley, according to a copy of the complaint that is expected to be filed in the state’s Supreme Judicial Court.