Ballot box breakdown | The agenda is set for November's vote, with seven questions on the table
The Nov. 3 referendum vote is fast approaching, and Mainers will check yes or no on seven questions appearing on the ballot. Opponents and proponents have been busy behind the bullhorn on several of the issues, including gay marriage and state spending caps. Below is what all the fuss boils down to:
Question 1: The “people’s veto” question asks voters if they want to reject a new law that allows same-sex marriage in Maine. In May, the state became the fifth in the country to allow gay marriage. The law was scheduled to take effect in September, but was put on hold while petitions from gay marriage opponents were verified.
Question 2: This citizen’s initiative, if passed, would cut Maine’s auto excise tax on vehicles five years old or newer and exempt highly fuel-efficient vehicles from sales tax and three years of excise tax. The initiative is expected to provide an estimated $80 million in tax relief.
Question 3: Voters will be asked whether they want to repeal a 2007 school consolidation law that sought to reduce the state’s 290 school districts down to 90. More than 100 districts remain out of compliance.
Question 4: The Taxpayer Bill of Rights II, or TABOR II, is one of the ballot’s most hotly contested issues. TABOR II would require voters to approve any tax or government spending increases above and beyond a formula based on the inflation rate and population. It would also institute spending caps at the municipal and county levels. The Maine State Chamber of Commerce recently abandoned its support for TABOR II, and opposed a similar measure that ultimately failed in 2006.
Question 5: This initiative, if passed, would expand the state’s medical marijuana law to include additional conditions for which a physician can prescribe marijuana and allow for the establishment of nonprofit distributors.
Question 6: This proposed $71 million bond issue would fund improvements to public transportation infrastructure and fund the LifeFlight Foundation’s medical helicopter service.
Question 7: Voters will be asked if they want to amend the state’s constitution to lengthen the amount of time that local officials have to certify signatures on initiative petitions.
Jackie Farwell
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