10/20/2002 Entry: ""
Posted by Maynard @ 11:37 PM MST
"I'll make him a proposition he can't refuse"
Between now and November 5th, I'll be posting a couple articles on how I'm voting this year. Click more for my views on the different Arizona propositions.
Each proposition is numbered, followed by how I'm voting. Below that is a short explanation of what it does and why I'm voting a given way.
100 - no
Prop 100 allows incorporated citied and towns, with voter approval, to become indebted up to 20% of the taxable property for the purpose of construction and civil improvements. I'm voting no for two reasons: first, debt is an enslavement, even if the debt is secured with something. The amount of security reduces the amount of enslavement, but I'm not comfortable with my city going into debt. Second, property should not be taxed just because it is owned.
101 - no
This is a state constitution amendment that allows the state to exchange trust land for other public land, if the trade is beneficial to the state. I'm voting no because I don't think that government should own land. Currently, the state sells trust land to the "highest and best" bidder at public auction. That means that the land can be transferred into private hands. If it is just swapped between governments it does not gain any benefit from being in private hands.
102 - yes
This prop clarifies a bit of law by freezing property taxes for senior citizens if they meet certain requirements. I'm voting yes because I believe that property should not be taxed just because it is owned.
103 - yes
This adds sexual assault and sexual assault against minors to the list of offesnses for which the accused cannot be bailed from jail. I'm voting yes because I don't think that those who are charged with these crimes should be allowed to be free because they might be guilty.
104 - no
This prop exempts some funds obtained from certain sources from school district spending limits. I'm voting no because I believe it is the parent's responsibility to educate children, not the state's.
200 - no
201 - no
202 - no
Much has been said about Indian-run gaming in Arizona. All three of these propositions would increats and expand gaming, with varying effects on state-collected revenue. I'm voting no on all three because I do not want the problems that come with casinos, most notably the increase in crime (organised or otherwise). Some would say that the point is moot since the casinos are already here. But that does not mean that they must be expanded. Some would say that voting no harms Indians by preventing their access to funds that they use for their own benefit. To that I say there are better ways of raising revenue than gambling, for example.
203 - no
Drug legalization is a biannual favorite of those who smoke marijuana in Arizona. This proposition removes several criminal offenses for marijuana possession and does a number of other things I don't like in regards to our drug laws. I'm voting no because legal deterrents to drug possession and use are good things.
300 - no
This proposition allows for the funding of certain school related issues by certain state-generated funds. I'm voting no because I believe it is the parent's responsibility to educate children, not the state's.
301 - no
This proposition extends the State Lottery Commission until 2012. I'm voting no because 1) I don't like gambling, and 2) the Lottery is a tax on people who are bad at math, and I don't like the state endorsing math illiteracy.
302 - yes
This proposition allows courts to impose incarceration for drug-related incidents related to personal possession or probation violation. I'm voting yes because I believe legal deterrents to drug possession and use are good things.
303 - no
This proposition raises tobacco taxes to generate revenue for state-funded health care. I'm voting no because provision is the responsibility of the family, not the state. I am also voting no because I'm not convinced that taxing a product that is used less and less is the best way to generate revenue.
304 - no
This proposition raises legislators' salaries from $24k to $36k per year. I'm voting no because 1) the state is in a budget crisis right now and I don't see a need to increase spending in this area, and 2) they just got a raise two elections ago.
400 - no
This is a Pima County prop, allowing for the override of the property tax levy limit for the Pima County Community College District. I'm voting no because property should not be taxed just because it is owned.
Look for another post before election day on who I'm picking for the state and national offices.
