Friday, October 15, 2010
STATE BALLOT QUANDARIES
Many voters are in a quandary about the upcoming state ballot questions. Most have heard about different ones of these, yet few have actually seen the alignment which will face them on November 2. Certainly most have not had sufficient exposure or opportunity for considered study to give them confidence in facing their voting choices. The summary below is provided as an offering toward such an educative experience.
744 Requires OK to spend per pupil average of surrounding states
This is a highly significant issue, and the television has been full of advertising. It poses conflicts for most supporters of public education, particularly those in higher education. Since it carries no added tax to pay, it would force a “no-tax” legislature to take funds away from higher education and other state functions. The consequences could be devastating. It is opposed by leaders in both parties and higher education. It has stirred bitter attack ads from anti-tax groups.
746 Requires voter government-issued photo ID
It is supposedly intended to prevent voter fraud. Since that has not been much of a problem, it is seen as an unnecessary hassle increasing voter time and lines and costing money. Some believe it is aimed politically at immigrants or poor people, and it adversely affects older or disabled people who might not have a driver’s license.
747 Sets term limits on all state elective offices
These would be 8 years for all elective offices except Corporation Commissioner, which would be 12. This is based upon faulty reasoning that experience is somehow a deterrent to performance. The legislature and the state suffer now from that false premise.
748 Legislative Redistricting
The governor, the pro-tem, and the speaker appoint 8 democrats and 8 republicans and the Lt. Governor chairs the Commission. New provisions add to the power of legislative leaders.
750 Lowers petition signatures required
This would make it easier for various interest groups to get measures on the election ballot for a vote. It allows special interests to go around the legislature and load ballots with “hot” issues or fiscal items, some difficult for the public to understand. It would make for abuse of the initiative process, as has been seen in California. This list of state questions demonstrates similar abuse of the referendum process by the legislature.
751 English language in “official actions” of the state
This has been debated in the legislature for decades. The fact that it is being pushed by legislators with less than friendly records in immigrant affairs makes it suspicious. There are exceptions for Indian tribes and federal requirements. This is offensive to the feelings of the Hispanic minority, and it is difficult to point out good reasons either for or against it.
752 Workers’ Comp Court Judges
The Governor will now appoint from a list provided by the (changed) Judicial Nominations Commission, and confirmation by the Senate is now required. Places controls on appointments, and makes them subject to legislative blocking. “Reform,” restraining adjudication of worker injuries, has long been an issue for republicans and their employer supporters, and this would put them into control of that judicial system if they dominate the legislature. Workers oppose this as biased and unfair to their injured people.
754 Anti-744 Amendment
This language negates any use of averages, practices or processes of other governments or entities in determining appropriations of the legislature of the State of OK. It overturns the requirements of any other amendments passed simultaneously or in the future which would make such requirements. This is an effort to void #744, if that passes, and to prohibit all future amendments of like nature. This seems unwise and bad over-kill policy.
755 State courts limited from applying Sharia or international law
This prohibits state courts from referencing international law or Sharia (Muslim) law in deciding cases, as if any had done so. This question was sponsored by the usual and customary radical suspects in the legislature. This appears to be a vote looking for a relevant issue and finding none – a case of shameful referendum abuse.
756 Nullifying federal health care law
In 2014 citizens who can afford health insurance, but do not have it, will be required to purchase health insurance (thus removed from taxpayer dole). There is a fine if they fail to do so. Sponsored by the usual and customary radical suspects, this amendment is a vain attempt to nullify federal law with a state constitutional amendment. (harkening back to start of the Civil War). The “commerce” provision of the U.S. Constitution has been consistently court-construed to cover all such federal requirements. Should some future Supreme Court declare otherwise, they would put such federal laws as Civil Rights and the Disabilities Act, among others, into question. Not likely. This is futile political ballot referendum abuse.
757 Increasing Rainy Day fund
Because of the immense shortages in funds from one fiscal year to another, the legislature is requesting the Rainy Day amendment be altered to allow up to 15% (now 10%) of the previous year’s budget to be deposited into the rainy day. Current state income problems make this irrelevant for a long while. Providing there is no legislative trickery involved (not spending money on hand), this would seem to be a sound long-range fiscal policy change. It would increase that fund by half. It is supported by responsible leaders of both parties.
Dr. Edwin E. Vineyard, AKA The Militant Moderate
744 Requires OK to spend per pupil average of surrounding states
This is a highly significant issue, and the television has been full of advertising. It poses conflicts for most supporters of public education, particularly those in higher education. Since it carries no added tax to pay, it would force a “no-tax” legislature to take funds away from higher education and other state functions. The consequences could be devastating. It is opposed by leaders in both parties and higher education. It has stirred bitter attack ads from anti-tax groups.
746 Requires voter government-issued photo ID
It is supposedly intended to prevent voter fraud. Since that has not been much of a problem, it is seen as an unnecessary hassle increasing voter time and lines and costing money. Some believe it is aimed politically at immigrants or poor people, and it adversely affects older or disabled people who might not have a driver’s license.
747 Sets term limits on all state elective offices
These would be 8 years for all elective offices except Corporation Commissioner, which would be 12. This is based upon faulty reasoning that experience is somehow a deterrent to performance. The legislature and the state suffer now from that false premise.
748 Legislative Redistricting
The governor, the pro-tem, and the speaker appoint 8 democrats and 8 republicans and the Lt. Governor chairs the Commission. New provisions add to the power of legislative leaders.
750 Lowers petition signatures required
This would make it easier for various interest groups to get measures on the election ballot for a vote. It allows special interests to go around the legislature and load ballots with “hot” issues or fiscal items, some difficult for the public to understand. It would make for abuse of the initiative process, as has been seen in California. This list of state questions demonstrates similar abuse of the referendum process by the legislature.
751 English language in “official actions” of the state
This has been debated in the legislature for decades. The fact that it is being pushed by legislators with less than friendly records in immigrant affairs makes it suspicious. There are exceptions for Indian tribes and federal requirements. This is offensive to the feelings of the Hispanic minority, and it is difficult to point out good reasons either for or against it.
752 Workers’ Comp Court Judges
The Governor will now appoint from a list provided by the (changed) Judicial Nominations Commission, and confirmation by the Senate is now required. Places controls on appointments, and makes them subject to legislative blocking. “Reform,” restraining adjudication of worker injuries, has long been an issue for republicans and their employer supporters, and this would put them into control of that judicial system if they dominate the legislature. Workers oppose this as biased and unfair to their injured people.
754 Anti-744 Amendment
This language negates any use of averages, practices or processes of other governments or entities in determining appropriations of the legislature of the State of OK. It overturns the requirements of any other amendments passed simultaneously or in the future which would make such requirements. This is an effort to void #744, if that passes, and to prohibit all future amendments of like nature. This seems unwise and bad over-kill policy.
755 State courts limited from applying Sharia or international law
This prohibits state courts from referencing international law or Sharia (Muslim) law in deciding cases, as if any had done so. This question was sponsored by the usual and customary radical suspects in the legislature. This appears to be a vote looking for a relevant issue and finding none – a case of shameful referendum abuse.
756 Nullifying federal health care law
In 2014 citizens who can afford health insurance, but do not have it, will be required to purchase health insurance (thus removed from taxpayer dole). There is a fine if they fail to do so. Sponsored by the usual and customary radical suspects, this amendment is a vain attempt to nullify federal law with a state constitutional amendment. (harkening back to start of the Civil War). The “commerce” provision of the U.S. Constitution has been consistently court-construed to cover all such federal requirements. Should some future Supreme Court declare otherwise, they would put such federal laws as Civil Rights and the Disabilities Act, among others, into question. Not likely. This is futile political ballot referendum abuse.
757 Increasing Rainy Day fund
Because of the immense shortages in funds from one fiscal year to another, the legislature is requesting the Rainy Day amendment be altered to allow up to 15% (now 10%) of the previous year’s budget to be deposited into the rainy day. Current state income problems make this irrelevant for a long while. Providing there is no legislative trickery involved (not spending money on hand), this would seem to be a sound long-range fiscal policy change. It would increase that fund by half. It is supported by responsible leaders of both parties.
Dr. Edwin E. Vineyard, AKA The Militant Moderate
