1997 ballot measures

1998 → ← 1996

Forty-four statewide ballot measures were on the ballot in 1997 in eight states.

Colorado

See also: Colorado 1997 ballot measures

Type	Title	Subject	Description	Result
LRSS	Issue 1	Taxes	Raise state taxes by $172.8 million/year initially; more later	d

Maine

See also: Maine 1997 ballot measures

Type	Title	Subject	Description	Result
LRSS	Question 1	Environment	Create the "Compact for Maine's Forests" law	d
LRSS	Question 2	Bonds	$7 million in bonds, matching $15 million in federal bonds, for water pollution control facilities	a
LRSS	Question 3	Bonds	$10 million for funding the Adaptive Equipment Loan Program Fund	a
LRSS	Question 4	Transportation	$56,850,000 for transportation improvements	a
LRCA	Question 5	Health	Remove from constitution provision that those with mental illnesses can't vote	d
LRSS	Question 6	Transportation	Expand southern end of Maine Turnpike	a

New Jersey

See also: New Jersey 1997 ballot measures

Type	Title	Subject	Description	Result
LBM	Public Question 1	Bonds	$20 million in bonds for the demolition and disposal of unsafe buildings	a
LRSS	Public Question 2	Water	Stormwater management and sewer overflow abatement	a
LRSS	Public Question 3	Water	Changes to the Water Supply Bond Act of 1981	a

New York

See also: New York 1997 ballot measures

Type	Title	Subject	Description	Result
ABR	Question 1	Constitution	Shall New York hold a constitutional convention?	d
LRCA	Proposal 1	Judicial reform	Increase monetary jurisdiction of New York City Civil Court and district court to $50,000	d
LRCA	Proposal 2	Admin of gov't	Rules for eligibility for civil service exam credits for veterans	a
LRSS	Proposal 3	Bonds	$2.4 billion for public schools	d

Ohio

See also: Ohio 1997 ballot measures

Type	Title	Subject	Description	Result
LRCA	Issue 1	Judiciary	Allow a court to deny bail when a person is charged with a felony offense	a
VR	Issue 2	Labor	Allow citizens to vote on the law passed by the General Assembly concerning worker's compensation laws	d

Oregon

See also: Oregon 1997 ballot measures

May 20:

Type	Title	Subject	Description	Result
LRCA	Measure 49	Admin of gov't	Restrictions on inmate lawsuits, interstate shipment of products made in prison	a
LRCA	Measure 50	Property rights	Limit assessed value of property for property tax purposes; limit property tax rates	a

November 4:

Type	Title	Subject	Description	Result
LRSS	Measure 51	Assisted suicide	Repeal law that allows terminally-ill adults to obtain lethal prescriptions	d
LRSS	Measure 52	Education	Authorize state-run lottery program with some revenues going to public education	a

Texas

See also: Texas 1997 ballot measures

August 9:

Type	Title	Subject	Description	Result
LRCA	Proposition 1	Taxes	Increase in residence homestead exemption	a

November 4:

Type	Title	Subject	Description	Result
LRCA	Proposition 1	Judiciary	Municipal Court Judges to hold more than one office	d
LRCA	Proposition 2	Taxes	Limit increases in residence homesteads for ad valorem tax	a
LRCA	Proposition 3	Taxes	Exemption on property for water conservation initiative	a
LRCA	Proposition 4	Constitution	Eliminate duplicate numbering in Constitution	a
LRCA	Proposition 5	Judiciary	Supreme Court to sit anywhere in Texas	a
LRCA	Proposition 6	Admin of gov't	Allow Texas Growth Fund to continue to invest without disclosure	d
LRCA	Proposition 7	Bonds	Texas Water Development to transfer bonds for water supply	a
LRCA	Proposition 8	Regulation	Expand types of liens for home equity loans	a
LRCA	Proposition 9	Texas	Authorize ad valorem tax rate in rural fire prevention districts	a
LRCA	Proposition 10	Spending	Compensation to victims of crime fund and crime auxiliary fund	a
LRCA	Proposition 11	Spending	Limiting amount of state debt payable from general revenue fund	a
LRCA	Proposition 12	Judiciary	Deadline for Supreme Court on motion for rehearing	a
LRCA	Proposition 13	Spending	Establish Texas tomorrow fund as protected trust fund	a
LRCA	Proposition 14	Admin of gov't	Legislature to prescribe qualifications of constables	a

Washington

See also: Washington 1997 ballot measures

June 17:

Type	Title	Subject	Description	Result
LRSS	RB-48	Taxes	Seahawks/Qwest Stadium financed by tax revenues and private contributions	a

November 4:

Type	Title	Subject	Description	Result
LRCA	HJR 4208	Education	Allowing school levies for four-year periods	a
LRCA	HJR 4209	Bonds	Sewer loans	a
ITP	I-673	Health care	Can health insurance plans be regulated as to provision of services by designated health care providers	d
ITP	I-676	Firearms	Can the transfer of handguns without trigger-locking devices be prohibited	d
ITP	I-677	Labor	Can employment discrimination based on sexual orientation be prohibited	d
ITP	I-678	Health care	Allow dental hygienists to perform more services	d
ITP	I-685	Marijuana	Reduce penalties for marijuana possession and use	d
LRSS	RB-47	Taxes	Property taxes limited by modifying the 106 percent limit and reducing state levy	a

External links

• Citizen's guide to the November 4, 1997 ballot questions in Maine
• Tabulation of the vote for the November 4, 1997 Maine ballot questions
• 1997 New York State election results
• Ohio 1997 ballot measures
• May 20, 1997 Oregon ballot measure guide
• November 4, 1997 Oregon ballot measure guide
• 1997 State of Washington ballot measure election results