Propositions may not be as glamorous as the presidential elections, but their effects hit much closer to home. This election, there are eight propositions ranging from health care to homeowner rights and many could change important laws in Arizona.
Proposition 100
Protect Our Homes Act
Yes vote:
Means that any property sold transferred between owners will not be subject to new taxes or fees from counties, cities, town or state. This would affect property sold, transferred, etc. after Dec. 31, 2007.
No vote:
Keeps current property taxes
What does this mean?
Supporters say that Arizonans should be protected from being taxed on their home value while opponents say that sales taxes are not enough to provide funding for Arizona’s economy.
Proposition 101
Healthcare amendment to Arizona’s constitution
Yes vote:
Would prevent any future laws that would restrict an individual’s choice of healthcare.
No vote:
Nothing will change
What does this mean?
The amendment would prevent any kind of state run universal healthcare like what Massachusetts put into place two years prior. Many opponents have said this may affect the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System, which currently ‘assigns’ doctors that could come into conflict if this measure were to pass.
Proposition 102
Definition of marriage to Arizona’s Constitution
Yes vote:
Supports a constitutional amendment that would define a union as only between one man and one woman as recognized in the state of Arizona.
No vote:
Will maintain the current law in Arizona that prohibits marriage between persons of the same sex, but would not amend the constitution
What does this mean?
This would amend the Arizona constitution making it more difficult to amend again later, unlike the current law that could be overturned in court decisions. This is similar to proposition 107 which was voted down in 2006, although this year it does not carry the language that might apply to common-law marriages.
Proposition 105
Majority Rule-Let the people decide act
Yes vote:
It will require that a majority of registered voters approve any initiative measure establishing, imposing or raising a tax, fee or other revenue, whether one person, organization, or the state in order for it to become law.
No vote:
Nothing will change
What does this mean?
Many critics of the measure say that requiring a majority of registered voters to approve a measure is nearly impossible, as many registered voters may not even vote in a given election. Supporters argue that because so few registered voters may vote in any election many measures pass that are not truly supported by the majority of Arizona voters.
Proposition 200
Payday loan reform act
Yes vote:
Will repeal the July 1, 2010 date for the termination of ‘payday loan’ licensing program and it will allow it to continue indefinitely. It would allow payday loan electronic debit agreements where money could be automatically withdrawn from a user’s bank account. Payday loans would also have to offer repayment plans, although only one request by a consumer could be made a year, and would drop interest rates on loans from 17.5% to 15%.
No vote:
Nothing changes and payday loans licensing ends July 1, 2010.
What does this mean?
The proposition is not a reform, it is allowing payday loans to continue operating and in many cases charging extremely high interest rates.
Proposition 201
Homeowner’s Bill of Rights
Yes vote:
Would require builders to provide a 10-year warrant on each new home and would allow homeowners to choose who repairs defects on their homes and guarantee fair compensation for repairs not completed. Even prospective homebuyers would be allowed to sue over repairs.
No vote:
Nothing changes
What does this mean?
Many supporters say this measure will give homeowners more abilities to hold home builders and contractors responsible for newly built homes while opponents say that there will be increased litigation because all disputes will go to court and even prospective homebuyers will be allowed to sue.
Proposition 202
Initiative petition relating to Employment
Yes vote:
This will affect Arizona’s employer sanctions act. All tips on employers hiring illegal aliens will have to be signed and dated. It would modify laws covering employers who knowingly employ illegal aliens by suspending or revoking licenses of business that employ them. It will add penalties on employers who fail to properly report cash wages and it will increase the penalties for identity theft as related to employment, but will favor an employer that verifies employee eligibility under federal law.
No vote:
Current employer sanction law remains in tact.
What does this mean?
Supporters argue that it will allow law enforcement to target the underground cash economy and it would make it a crime for an employer to accept fake IDs from potential employees.
Opponents argue that the state would not be able to take action until the federal government had already moved in, it would eliminate the silent witness portion of the law, and would take away the severity of Arizona’s current employer sanctions law.
Proposition 300
Legislator Pay
Yes vote:
Will raise pay for Arizona lawmakers from 24,000 to 30,000 a year.
No vote:
Legislators will not receive a pay raise.
What does this mean?
Arizona has not raised lawmaker pay since 1998 and most lawmakers work an average of six months a year at 40-60 hours a week. Many advocate groups saying raising lawmaker pay will prevent corruption or side dealing with lobbyist groups. Opponents say that a raise at this time with the state’s budget in mind is inappropriate.
