Last week the Secretary of State released the final wording on four of the referendum questions that will be on November ballots. There are potentially two others (including the effort to repeal same-sex marriage) that will also be included but they have not been finalized.
Go to http://www.maine.gov/sos/cec/elec/upcoming.html for more information, including the the full text of the legislation for each question and links to proponent’s information.
Read the full press release from the Secretary of State.
AUGUSTA, Maine—Secretary of State Matt Dunlap finalized four referendum questions today that will appear on the ballot for voters to decide on the November 3, 2009 referendum ballot. …
…Dunlap noted that several of the proposals are technically complex, and that makes the crafting of simple, easy-to-understand questions difficult. “We spent several hours on the first drafts with volunteers on the ballot clarity advisory board, the Attorney General’s office, and others. The feedback from the public has led to more changes, which we hope will more closely capture the essence of the proposals and convey clearly to the voter what it will mean to vote either yes or no on these questions.”
The titles of the initiated bills are listed below accompanied by the questions that will appear on the ballot:
An Act to Decrease the Automobile Excise Tax and Promote Energy Efficiency
“Do you want to cut the rate of the municipal excise tax by an average of 55% on motor vehicles less than six years old and exempt hybrid and other alternative-energy and highly fuel-efficient motor vehicles from sales tax and three years of excise tax?”
An Act to Provide Tax Relief
“Do you want to change the existing formulas that limit state and local government spending and require voter approval by referendum for spending over those limits and for increases in state taxes?”
An Act to Repeal the School District Consolidation Laws
“Do you want to repeal the 2007 law on school district consolidation and restore the laws previously in effect?”
An Act to Establish the Maine Medical Marijuana Act
“Do you want to change the medical marijuana laws to allow treatment of more medical conditions and to create a regulated system of distribution?”
