Here is some great information about the upcoming referendum questions for this fall, and how to have input into the process……..

 

Referendum Election – November 3, 2009 Referendum Elections are held to provide Maine’s citizens an opportunity to vote on People’s Veto Referenda, Direct Initiatives of Legislation (i.e. Citizen Initiatives), Bond Issues, other referenda proposed by the Legislature, and Constitutional Amendments.  Referendum elections are an important part of the heritage of public participation in Maine.  In the fall of 2009, the Division of Elections, in conjunction with the Attorney General, the State Treasurer and the Office of Fiscal and Program Review will produce a Citizen’s Guide to this Referendum Election.  The Guide will include a list of the referendum questions, the legislation each question represents, a summary of the intent and content of the legislation, an explanation of the significance of a “yes” or “no” vote, an analysis of the debt service on any bond issues, and an estimate of the fiscal impact of each referendum question on state revenues, appropriations and allocations.  Those opposing or supporting specific ballot measures may also seek to have comments included in the publication.  For more information about including such comments, please visit our webpage regarding the Publication of Public Comments on Statewide Referenda. The Guide will be posted on this website. For information about how and where to vote, please contact your local municipal clerk or call Maine’s Division of Elections at 624-7650.  Information is also available online at: www.maine.gov/portal/government/edemocracy/ The following measures will appear on the November 3, 2009 ballot: The Secretary of State has drafted final ballot questions for the four citizen initiatives that will appear on the ballot. Proposed citizen initiative ballot questions were open for public comment for 30 days before final ballot questions were issued on August 6, 2009. A bond issue and Constitutional Resolution also will be on the ballot, and are listed below. The actual order in which the questions will appear on the ballot is not yet determined, pending certification of a People’s Veto petition which may appear on this November’s ballot. Final ballot order will be determined by drawing later this summer. Citizen Initiatives   An Act to Decrease the Automobile Excise Tax and Promote Energy Question: “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?”   Proponent Information Legislation - HTML version Legislation - PDF version       An Act to Establish the Maine Medical Marijuana Act Question: “Do you want to change the medical marijuana laws to allow treatment of more medical conditions and to create a regulated system of distribution?”   Proponent Information Legislation - HTML version Legislation - PDF version       An Act to Provide Tax Relief Question: “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?”   Proponent Information Legislation - HTML version Legislation - PDF version       An Act to Repeal the School District Consolidation Laws Question: “Do you want to repeal the 2007 law on school district consolidation and restore the laws previously in effect?”   Proponent Information Legislation - HTML version Legislation - PDF version       Bond Question (Part A of Ch. 414, Public Laws of 2009) Question: "Do you favor a $71,250,000 bond issue for improvements to highways and bridges, airports, public transit facilities, ferry and port facilities, including port and harbor structures, as well as funds for the LifeFlight Foundation that will make the State eligible for over $148,000,000 in federal and other matching funds?"   Legislation - direct link to Public Law on the Legislature's website       Constitutional Resolution (Ch. 1, Constitutional Resolutions of 2009) Question: "Do you favor amending the Constitution of Maine to increase the amount of time that local officials have to certify the signatures on direct initiative petitions?"   Legislation - direct link to Constitutional Resolution on the Legislature's website

 

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