Ballotpedia:Assignment Desk

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The Assignment Desk
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Breaking News

{{2012 ballot measures}}, Potential 2012 ballot measures

• Despite what they say, voters favor local taxes
• Voters increase local taxes along with statewide rate; tax hikes called referendum on cuts
• Spending on local ballot measures soared in 2012 election

International

International ballot measures, 2011, International ballot measures, 2010, International ballot measures, 2009

Local measures by state

Ballot Measure Research
News
"Ballot measures" (Twitter)
"Ballot initiatives" (Twitter)
Ballot Access News
CICF blog
Ballot Box News
Ballotpedia pipe
Leg. links
AL • AK • AZ • AR CA • CO • CT • DE FLS, FLH • GA • HI ID • IL • IN • IA KS • KY • LA • ME MS • MO-Senate, MO-House MT • NE • NV • NH NJ • NM • NY • NC ND • OH • OK • OR PA • RI • SC (dead link) • SD TN • TX • UT • VT VA • WA • WV • WI • WY
State ballot measure websites

Minimum wage

• Paid Sick Leave in Orange County, Florida

Sports stadium subsidy

• GOLDMAN: Citizen group may try to put stadium referendum on ballot (Possible sports arena measure in Richmond, Virginia)
• GOLDMAN: Citizen group asks lawyer to draft ballpark, bond referendum (Very early stages of initiative)

Other

• Badercare expansion measures - Dane County

Alabama

Local ballot measures, Alabama, {{Alabama counties}}

Alaska

Local ballot measures, Alaska, {{Alaska boroughs}}

• Initiative Repealing Labor Law Could be Heading for Ballot Box
• Pondering the ballot propositions (October 1 election)

Arizona

Local ballot measures, Arizona, {{Arizona counties}}

• Overrides may go back on ballot (Jan. 2, 2013)
• Phoenix City Council election scheduled for August (August 27, at moment no measures but something to keep an eye on. "ballot measures will have to be provided to the City Council by April.")
• Cities scream as Brewer seeks sales tax changes (no measure)
• Chandler, Mesa schools may not be able to sell voter-approved bonds
• Pearl Property ballot measure takes shape (November election)
• Proposed bond will replace obsolete buses
• Passing Override Is Important To Joseph City Schools’ Future
• Phoenix leaders to talk pension 'spiking'

Arkansas

Local ballot measures, Arkansas, {{Arkansas counties}}

California

2010, 2011, 2012,{{California counties}}, California recall news, California research links

Statewide

2016:

• Pot-legalization activists aim for 2016 ballot in California

2014:

• Shine light on mystery donors
• Pension disaster on the way
• Fiscal prudence smokescreen
• Michelle Rhee
• Citizens United: California Poised To Become Largest Electorate To Vote On Constitutional Amendment
• Lawmakers to end excessive bond practice (relevant to local measures)
• Pension-Cutting Ballot Initiative Revealed (2014 pension reform initiative)
• California Pension-Cutting Ballot Initiative Revealed
• PENSION REFORM INITIATIVE WOULD “EMPOWER” CITIES
• San Bernardino mayor joins with others for pension reform
• Mayors to the rescue: An attempt to reform pensions could pitch Democrat against Democrat
• Abortion opponents get OK to gather signatures for 2 California ballot measures
• Ballot Proposals Take Aim at Hospitals
• The State Worker: Battle over pensions goes local (Pension measure support and opposition)

Process:

• Too much democracy
• Initiative glut taking toll
• Getting on ballot only half the battle
• Too many initiatives! Bad!
• Big changes for state watchdog
• Steinberg wants process change
• Ballot titles
• April 27 deadline?
• Reform ideas
• Jerry Brown's many changes
• Reforming the ultimate reform
• Parcel tax plans promote the unfairest of levies
• Dems consider changes

Lawsuits

• Prop 215 lawsuit in Arcata
• Lawsuit on redistricting referendum (timed out)
• Can't take $$ from First Five
• Prop 13 overturn sought
• Redevelopment fund lawsuit
• A tangled web could trap cities on redevelopment
• Libs and Greens seek to intervene
• Lawsuit challenges Top Two primary
• 3rd party backers sue over law
• Opponents fall short of challenging California Dream Act
• How Much Money Would Brown Tax Produce?
• SCOTUS to hear case
• Judge strikes parole revocation provisions
• Backers win right to fight for Prop. 8
• Special hearing set for redistricting writ petition
• Prop 209 lawsuit
• Santa Clara 49ers referendum
• Top Two lawsuits (dead link)
• Judge backs California revenue shift away from schools (dead link)
• California lawmakers win pay-dispute ruling
• Ballot-box pension change wins first court fight (dead link)
• Pension reform (San Diego/San Jose) lawsuits
• San Jose unions sue to block pension reform
• San Diego Prop B
• California: Justices Are Asked to Rule on Marriage Ban
• San Gabriel local ballot measures denied
• Federal court upholds Prop 2
• Molly Munger's lawsuit
• Judge orders changes to Prop. 32 language
• Condom Measure B aftermath lawsuit
• Prop 30 ballot placement illegal
• CalPERS lawsuit, more (dead link)
• High speed rail lawsuit

Local

Local ballot measures, California, California 2013 local ballot measures, {{california counties}}, November 6, 2012 ballot measures in California

• If city council approves San Carlos Transit Village project, opponents say a referendum may follow (Potential veto referendum)
• Saratoga: Library parcel tax measure up for renewal
• Survey says T.O. voters may support $229-million bond measure (November 2014 election)
• Willows Unified will put bond measure on 2014 ballot (2014 election) (dead link)
• Santa Cruz County poll finds support for parks tax, with limits (possible 2014 election)
• Renewal of elementary school parcel tax on fall ballot: Belmont-Redwood Shores district tax would be $174 per parcel annually (November election)
• November bond measure could determine the future of Marin General Hospital (November election)
• School board OKs high-interest bond measure
• Monterey County school district to ask voters to OK technology bonds
• Our View: Modesto voters should go for Measure V
• Bolinas Parcel Tax Ballot again (timed out)
• Fort Ord election lawsuit dismissed (November election lawsuit)
• (November election)
• Willows Unified School District board to put bond measure on 2014 ballot (dead link)
• Parcel tax hike may win support in Desert Hot Springs (dead link)
• Editorial: Library supporters must speak out to win parcel tax increase (dead link)
• California poll finds public souring on unions
• Two new Tax Districts on horizon (dead link)
• L.A. County transit officials plan to put sales tax measure on ballot (November 2014 or 2016)
• Editorial: Let Sacramento library boosters try to convince voters that libraries are worth higher taxes
• Parcel Tax For Libraries Will Go Before City of Sacramento Voters
• Sacramento council places library tax measure on June ballot (Write this article soon)
• Elected mayor measure advances in Buellton (November election)
• School district plans for two bond measures (dead link)
• Red Bluff sales tax measure headed to November ballot
• Menlo Park: To sign or not to sign, that is the question (November Notable Initiative)
• A tale of two measures: Two very different initiatives are likely headed for the same ballot in Pismo Beach (November measures - notable initiative)
• RIVERSIDE: Initiative would conserve, develop La Sierra land (Notable California initiative)
• Golf course raises a stink; owner pursues ballot measure (November initiative)
• District aims for fall parcel tax measure: Study shows voters in favor of consolidating two Burlingame school parcel taxes into one (November election)
• Opponents of billboard deal launch referendum drive (May 5 signature deadline)
• Deadline for Billboard Referendum Petitions is Monday (Write article if referendum is successful)
• San Francisco’s Action-Packed November Ballot (Lots of notable measures and initiatives here - November ballot)
• Santa Cruz Sentinel, "Santa Cruz County vote sought on constitutional amendment," April 15, 2014 (Move to Amend - notable November ballot)
• Pismo Beach group submits signatures for initiative on Price Canyon (November election - fairly notable)
• Ballot measure filed over canyon (November election)
• Journal Times editorial: Unified referendum has promise, but shouldn't be forever (probably November election - possibly June)
• Ballot measure on Claremont water system takeover likely to come to voters in November (November election)
• Group Behind Santa Maria District Election Ballot Measure Going to Court (November election and Ballot law)
• Santa Monicans for Renters’ Rights Says No to Airport Ballot Initiative (November election)
• S.F. ballot measure would severely limit short-term rentals (likely November initiative)
• Competing Ballot Measures Would Ask Voters To Make Decision On Beach Chalet Astro-Turf Plan (November election)
• Fresno Taxpayers Submit Signatures for Water Rate Referendum (November referendum)

Historical

• Prop. 8 campaign committee faces $49,000 in fines
• High speed rail lawsuit

Colorado

Local ballot measures, Colorado, {{Colorado counties}}

• Town considering lower sales tax
• Pearl Property ballot measure takes shape (November election)
• Advocates submit fracking moratorium petitions to Loveland (August election)
• Ballot initiative to ban fracking in Lafayette garners enough signatures to move forward (November Election)
• Election changes heading to the ballot (November election)
• Weld County commissioners debate ballot proposal wording for 51st state -- Northern Colorado (November election)
• City Clerk throws out fracking moratorium petition challenge (updated with PDF of decision) (Spotlight priority article content)
• Loveland probably won't vote on fracking in Nov. (November election)
• tax increase steps closer to ballot (November election) (dead link)
• Fracking petition headed to court (November election Likely NOB)
• School bond issue heads for ballot (November ballot)
• Town holds off on Pearl Property ballot measure vote
• 51st state initiative could divide Erie
• Denver local marijuana sales tax ballot question (urgent)
• Group Wants Fracking Ban on Local Ballot
• Lafayette opposes fracking ban, occupation tax ballot items (November election. Measures should be covered)
• 'North Colorado' Secession Legality Questioned In Weld County

State Measures

See also: Colorado 2013 ballot measures

• Colorado’s marijuana debate heats up as activists argue against heavy taxation
• Retail marijuana tax slated for the ballot
• Lawsuit filed challenging education tax hike petitions
• Amendment 66: Making the case for and against
• Amendment 66: Former Colorado senators oppose school finance question
• To tax or not to tax: Marijuana election one month away
• Marijuana tax

Connecticut

Local ballot measures, Connecticut, {{Connecticut counties}}

Delaware

Local ballot measures, Delaware, {{Delaware counties}}

District of Columbia

Local ballot measures, Washington, D.C.

• Proposed D.C. marijuana initiative to be reworked to address AG’s objections (2014 election)

Florida

Local ballot measures, Florida, {{Florida counties}}

• Report: Manatee hospitals, doctors fueling pro-sales tax hike campaign
• $160.5 million bond proposal affects students at all levels
• Property taxes going up to pay for teacher raises (Relevant to all local FL)
• Pot Initiatives Blaze Ahead in Miami Beach and Tallahassee (November election)

Georgia

Local ballot measures, Georgia, {{Georgia counties}}

Hawaii

Local ballot measures, Hawaii, {{Hawaii counties}}

Idaho

Local ballot measures, Idaho, {{Idaho counties}}

Illinois

Local ballot measures, Illinois, {{Illinois counties}}

• $60 million school bond may get Springfield vote (November election)
• Water rate, referendum major topics at Fox Lake meeting (March 2014 election)

Indiana

Local ballot measures, Indiana, {{Indiana counties}}

• Ind. Senate approves right to hunt, farm proposal Feb 12, 2013 (dead link)
• Indiana counties back GOP budget proposal, Feb 24, 2013 (dead link)
• School districts developing appetite for referendums, Feb 24, 2013 (May 7 election)

Iowa

Local ballot measures, Iowa, {{Iowa counties}}

• Grout tax levy likely headed for fall ballot (November election)

Kansas

Local ballot measures, Kansas, {{Kansas counties}}

Kentucky

Local ballot measures, Kentucky, {{Kentucky counties}}

Louisiana

Local ballot measures, Louisiana, {{Louisiana parishes}}

• $4.1 million bond issue sought for Coquille sports complex near Covington (November 16 election)

Maine

Local ballot measures, Maine, {{Maine counties}}

Maryland

Local ballot measures, Maryland, {{Maryland counties}}

• Maryland counties join movement to secede from largely Democrat-run state (May result in an interesting initiative)

Massachusetts

Local ballot measures, Massachusetts, {{Massachusetts counties}}

• Newton aldermen vote to place $11.4 million tax hike on ballot (March 12 election)

Michigan

Local ballot measures, Michigan, {{Michigan counties}}

• Michigan lawmakers: Key issues to watch in 2013 (Jan 5, 2012)
• Mattawan school officials to question community about facility needs, Jan 7, 2013
• Aug. 6 voters to decide police and fire funding, choose mayoral and council candidates (Important: rundown of August 6 election in Michigan)
• Lake Orion ballot to host second school upgrade initiative in two years WITH VIDEO (August 6 election)
• School voters will decide tax measure (November election)
• Albion school tax on ballot (November election)

Minnesota

Local ballot measures, Minnesota, {{Minnesota counties}}

Mississippi

Local ballot measures, Mississippi, {{Mississippi counties}}

Missouri

Local ballot measures, Missouri, {{Missouri counties}}

• 'Take Back St. Louis' initiative could go up for public vote (possible initiative)
• Altenburg faces tax vote on new school (August 6 election)
• KCI ballot initiative is short of necessary signatures so far
• Anti-coal initiative heading for April ballot
• First Day In Court For Ballot Initiative That Blocks Incentives For Energy Companies

Montana

Local ballot measures, Montana, {{Montana counties}}

Nebraska

Local ballot measures, Nebraska, {{Nebraska counties}}

Nevada

Local ballot measures, Nevada, {{Nevada counties}}

• Yes or no on Washoe schools tax? Read pro & con opinions here (July 23)

New Hampshire

Local ballot measures, New Hampshire, {{New Hampshire counties}}

New Jersey

Local ballot measures, New Jersey, {{New Jersey counties}}

New Mexico

Local ballot measures, New Mexico, {{New Mexico counties}}

• Editorial: Something’s gotta give in city petition elections (2014 or 2015 charter amendment)

New York

Local ballot measures, New York, {{New York counties}}

North Carolina

Local ballot measures, North Carolina, {{North Carolina counties}}

North Dakota

Local ballot measures, North Dakota, {{North Dakota counties}}

• Fargo school panel eyes March for excess mill levy vote (March 2014 election) (dead link)

Ohio

Local ballot measures, Ohio, {{Ohio counties}}

• Studies say public funds rarely affect who wins
• Streetcar supporters to announce ballot initiative Monday at City Hall: City has until Dec. 19 to decide on project

Oklahoma

Local ballot measures, Oklahoma, {{Oklahoma counties}}

• Tulsa officials consider putting street-repair proposal on separate ballot initiative (dead link)

Oregon

Local ballot measures, Oregon, {{Oregon counties}}

• City Club panel supports Portland fluoridation measure
• Hillsboro School Board will place bond measure on November ballot
• Eugene activist tries to file ballot initiative to repeal property tax break (November election)
• Petition targets altered crops (May 2014)
• Eugene activists seek vote to ban GMO crops (May 2014)
• Main donors for two-thirds vote proposal live outside Yakima (November election)
• Group files ballot initiative for new water district in Portland (May 2014 election)
• Lane County clerk rejects GMO initiative (soon election)
• Springfield School District seeking public input for proposed $60 million bond measure (November election)
• Corbett superintendent proposes a $15 million bond measure for Nov. 5 (November election)
• Ballots for Albany election to be mailed today (Priority article: September 17 election Spotlight)
• Seaside OKs Plan For $128M School Bond Measure (November election)
• Hillsboro schools bond measure campaign is off and running (November election)
• Group to propose ballot measure banning GMOs in Multnomah County (Newly proposed)
• Hey look, a grand bargain in Oregon!
• Vote Yes on Ballot Measure 29-133—and tell ‘em thanks! (November election (mid-level urgency))

Pennsylvania

Local ballot measures, Pennsylvania, {{Pennsylvania counties}}

• Three townships checking into ballot measures on alcohol sales
• Allentown lease/sale question will not be on May ballot
• Court asked to nix Volpe ballot initiative
• Allentown ballot question prompted by Delta Thermo struck down (interesting Local ballot law and topic initiative Spotlight)

Rhode Island

Local ballot measures, Rhode Island, {{Rhode Island counties}}

South Carolina

Local ballot measures, South Carolina, {{South Carolina counties}}

South Dakota

Local ballot measures, South Dakota, {{South Dakota counties}}

• School Board seeks ballot issue for project, Feb 13, 2013

Tennessee

Local ballot measures, Tennessee, {{Tennessee counties}}

• Opponents of supermarket wine decry referendums Feb, 26, 2013

Texas

Local ballot measures, Texas, {{Texas counties}}

• 'Affordable Housing' may be on Austin ballot again
• Richmond’s City Charter proposal will involve two ballot measures
• Harris Co. officials put $217M bond on Nov. ballot to use on Astrodome

Utah

Local ballot measures, Utah, {{Utah counties}}

Vermont

Local ballot measures, Vermont, {{Vermont counties}}

Virginia

Local ballot measures, Virginia {{Virginia counties}}

Washington

Local ballot measures, Washington, {{Washington counties}}

• State considering new car tab tax for King County
• Initiative filed to name damaged Skagit River bridge for Eyman (November 2014 election)
• LWSD bond measure would scrap Juanita High School pool (February 2014 eletion)
• Lake Washington School Board Proposes Levy & Bond Measures (February 2014 election)
• Is Seattle headed for a $15 minimum wage?
• King County voters could soon see tax measure for Metro Transit (early 2014 election)
• Call for $15 minimum wage moves north to Seattle (Priority)
• Judge to rule on SeaTac minimum-wage law
• $15 Hourly Minimum Wage in Northwest City Faces Court Challenge (Priority - TC Spotlight)

West Virginia

Local ballot measures, West Virginia {{West Virginia counties}}

Wisconsin

Local ballot measures, Wisconsin, {{Wisconsin counties}}

Wyoming

Local ballot measures, Wyoming, {{Wyoming counties}}

• local school bond election

Pension Reform Hotspot Report Links

• OPINION: City Auditor warns pensions threaten Oakland's solvency
• Internal Affairs: Battle continues between police union, councilwoman
• San Jose Mayor: San Bernardino on ‘bleeding edge’ of pension crisis
• City Pension Change Outlined for 2015 (Memphis 401(k) plan)
• Pension reform: 'Now the hard part starts' (Jacksonville pension reform)
• Chicago pension overhaul would boost tax revenue by $750 million
• Pace of pension reform ebbs after 49 states change laws (April 14)
• CalPERS Hikes Rate $459 Million, Funding Still Low
• Oakland auditor sounds pension alarm
• Editorial: PERS: It's time to comply with court orders
• San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed keynotes Marin pension reform conference (Marin County reform?)

2012 links

Arizona:

• Property measure heats up Yuba County ballot

Colorado:

• The issues: From pot to PPRTA October 10, 2012 October 10, 2012

Connecticut:

• NOREEN: Local tax measures dodging TABOR September 19, 2012

Illinois:

• Better Schools’ referendum campaign back on track September 14, 2012
• Support for bond referendum could rely on Rockford voters’ trust September 22, 2012

Indiana:

• NWI city officials face corruption charges October 5, 2012
• Tax, bribery charges filed against Indiana officials October 4, 2012
• Lawmaker asks feds to not allow South Bend tribal casino October 10, 2012

Kansas:

• Fluoride ballot item is more clear than others

Michigan:

• Michigan Sample Ballot for Calhoun County to be posted later
• Bring on the proposals

Missouri:

• Use tax would fund streets, public safety September 24, 2012
• Four school districts seek tax issues October 2, 2012
• R-6 board seeking tax increase (November election)

New Mexico:

• Abortion bill is likely to be on city’s ballot (October 8 election)

Ohio:

• Low turnout in Columbus eased way for ballot petitions, December 2013 (Priority - TC Spotlight)

Oregon:

• "Government Camp voters to decide on creation of special road district, tax in November" September 6, 2012
• Oregon City urban renewal measure qualifies for November ballot
• Opponents Speak Out About Planned Casino September 10, 2012
• Scattering of measures, dearth of candidates make for uneventful Washington County election season September 10, 2012
• Cities want more tax options September 7, 2012
• Portland-Milwaukie light-rail project debate gains momentum: Clackamas County Roundup September 7, 2012
• Casino developers see jackpot in Portland September 16, 2012
• Petition to ban genetically modified crops rejected (May 2014 election)
• [1]

Texas:

• "Abilene Online", "New schools, outdated buildings fuel Colorado City district's bond election" September 8, 2012
• Lakeport alcohol measures on November ballot
• Initiative aims to amend county charter

Washington:

• In Maryland, a red-carpet rumble over gay marriage and more gambling
• Initiatives to appear on the ballot, for now (Spokane Measure)

Wisconsin:

• Highway spending hogging the budget