Voters to Weigh Propositions in 7 States

[callady]

Voters to Weigh Propositions in 7 States

Sunday October 30, 2005 5:31 PM

By DAVID CRARY

AP National Writer

Gay rights, teen abortion, Arnold Schwarzenegger's prestige. These and other volatile topics are adding spice to off-year elections in seven states where voters will be considering statewide ballot measures on Nov. 8.

As is often the case, California has the most intriguing mix of propositions - including four backed by Schwarzenegger, the Republican governor, to curb the power of the Democratic-controlled Legislature and the state's public employee unions. Another measure, notable in a state with liberal leanings, would require parents to be notified when a minor seeks an abortion.

Texas voters are expected to approve a proposed constitutional ban on same-sex marriages - a step already taken in 18 other states. In Maine, a conservative alliance is urging voters to quash a new law prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation.

In Republican-controlled Ohio, site of bitter wrangling in the 2004 presidential election, four election overhaul measures backed by Democratic-leaning groups are on the ballot. Voters will be asked if bipartisan boards, instead of elected officials, should draw lawmakers' districts and oversee elections; whether campaign contribution limits should be lowered; and whether all voters should be allowed to vote early by mail.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,1280,-5380134,00.html

[AirAmFan]

1. Republicans use these initiatives to pull every fundie out of the woodwork;

the "coat-tails" of eleven state anti-gay-marriage initiatives in 2004 explain why Dubya still is in the WH, instead of John Kerry.

Why aren't there more Democratic-coat-tail initiatives, on issues that poll the best for us, such as minimum-wage increases, protecting stem-cell research from ideological interference, and getting poor children covered by health insurance?

[MaineDem]

3. The DNC is starting a movement

They want states that allow citizen intitiative ballots to take the steps needed to protect the votes...demand verifiable paper ballots. It's going to be discussed at the next meeting inDecember.

[brainshrub]

4. When is the meeting, so I can attend.

There is no single issue more important than that of the verifiable paper ballot.

[Initech]

2. So is Ahnuld trying to appeal to the fundies or what?

[rainbow4321]

5. Cuz Texans have nothing better to worry about, right??

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/10/28/AR2005102802161.html

A higher percentage of Texas households were at risk of going hungry over the past three years than in any other state, according to data released Friday by the U.S. Agriculture Department.


http://www.mysanantonio.com/sharedcontent/APStories/stories/D8DHJVO80.html

The Texas Public Utility Commission has approved a TXU Energy request to raise rates by 24 percent, with the first increase slated to hit consumers next month.


http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/education/stories/102605dntexschoolfinance.543d2b8.html

October payments for school districts were sent out by the state on Tuesday, nearly a month after the Oct. 1 deadline set by a state judge to cut off payments if Texas’ school finance system was not fixed by the Legislature.