Welcome back to the American Politics Thread, everyone. I'm back with the historic 10th edition after I hosted our fifth edition, and have brought back cake. Strap in your seatbelts, everyone, because this ride is not over quite yet...
With BBB continuing to be blocked by Manchin and Sinema, we wonder whether or not even Kowani will get bored with the news every once in a while. Right up there is some controversy around Trump and investigations and even Tucker Carlson... but let's be honest, that's been the last 6 years. We even have some fun new things surrounding abortion... wait, none of that is new... uh, recovery, recovery... oh, right, it's been a year since Biden took office. So far, seems people are iffy on him. Cancel the student loan debt, Joe.
It's been hectic, and like a trainwreck in hell, but we've made it. Cake it that way over by the refreshments table, along with some Dr. Pepper as per my recent watching of Forrest Gump.
Have fun... or not, it's up to you.
The Plaza (Thanks to Shrillland):
Our first Amendment comes on May 24. This would amend the state constitution to issue $85 million in bonds to improve, renovate, and otherwise maintain all state parks($80 million) and state historical monuments and sites($5 million). All of them, that is, except for the Confederate Memorital Park in Marbury, which was specifically excepted for obvious reasons.
All Alabama's other amendments come in November. The first would remove Orphans' Business from the purview of county probate courts. Since Orphans' Business refers to county orphanages(which don't exist anymore), it's a likely pass.
Number two is also referred to as "Aniah's Law" after Aniah Blanchard, who was killed in 2019 by someone who was out on bail despite being indicted for kidnapping, robbery, and attempted murder. Alabama doesn't currently allow remanding suspects without bail, but this amendment would change that, allowing it at a Judge's discretion for most violent crimes such as murder, rape, terrorism, etc.
Number three would require any legislation that changes the conduct of a general election to be fully implemented at least six months before that election takes place.
Number four would allow certain cities that were already authorised to levy a property tax to pay for capital improvement bonds to use revenue from that tax to pay for such improvements directly without bonds.
All Alabama's other amendments come in November. The first would remove Orphans' Business from the purview of county probate courts. Since Orphans' Business refers to county orphanages(which don't exist anymore), it's a likely pass.
Number two is also referred to as "Aniah's Law" after Aniah Blanchard, who was killed in 2019 by someone who was out on bail despite being indicted for kidnapping, robbery, and attempted murder. Alabama doesn't currently allow remanding suspects without bail, but this amendment would change that, allowing it at a Judge's discretion for most violent crimes such as murder, rape, terrorism, etc.
Number three would require any legislation that changes the conduct of a general election to be fully implemented at least six months before that election takes place.
Number four would allow certain cities that were already authorised to levy a property tax to pay for capital improvement bonds to use revenue from that tax to pay for such improvements directly without bonds.
Alaska will be voting on whether or not to have a Constitutional Convention as they must every 10 years.
Arizona's first measure is a veto question. In 2021, Arizona passed SB 1828, which, among other things, reduced the state's income tax brackets to two(2.55% for everything below $27,272 and 2.98% plus $695 for everything above it) from the current four(2.59% for all single incomes below $26,500, 3.34% for everything up to $53,000, 4.17% from there up to $159,000, and 4.55 for everything $159,001 and above). The bill also further reduces everything to a flat income tax of 2.5% when state revenue reaches $12,976,000,000. This measure would decide whether the new smaller tax rates stay in effect. A Yes vote will uphold the smaller brackets while a No will take them back up to four.
Measure number two would modify 2006's Prop 300, which barred all non-citizens from certain state benefits. This would amend that to allow non-citizens to receive in-state tuition at colleges and universities if they graduated from an Arizona school that they had attended for at least two years.
Measure number three would amend the constitution to allow the legislature to repeal or amend any ballot measures or provisions of measures that have been found to be unconstitutional by SCOTUS or the Arizona State Supreme Court.
Measure number four would constitutionally impose a single-subject rule on all citizen-initiated ballot measures.
Measure number two would modify 2006's Prop 300, which barred all non-citizens from certain state benefits. This would amend that to allow non-citizens to receive in-state tuition at colleges and universities if they graduated from an Arizona school that they had attended for at least two years.
Measure number three would amend the constitution to allow the legislature to repeal or amend any ballot measures or provisions of measures that have been found to be unconstitutional by SCOTUS or the Arizona State Supreme Court.
Measure number four would constitutionally impose a single-subject rule on all citizen-initiated ballot measures.
Measure number one would amend the Constitution to require all constitutional amendments and citizen initiatives to have 60%+1 to pass. Currently, only a simple majority is required.
Number two is an amendment that would allow the state legislature to call itself into special sessions if a joint proclamation is signed by the House Speaker and the Senate President Pro Tempore or if it's signed by two-thirds of both houses.
Number three is an amendment that would guarantee that, "government shall not burden a person's freedom of religion even if the burden results from a rule of general applicability."
Number two is an amendment that would allow the state legislature to call itself into special sessions if a joint proclamation is signed by the House Speaker and the Senate President Pro Tempore or if it's signed by two-thirds of both houses.
Number three is an amendment that would guarantee that, "government shall not burden a person's freedom of religion even if the burden results from a rule of general applicability."
This first proposition would legalise sports betting at First Nations Casinos and racetracks and tax all revenue from it at 10%. It would also allow Native casinos to have roulette and dice games for the first time.
Number two would raise the cap on noneconomic damages in malpractice lawsuits. The cap has been set at $250,000 since 1975, and this measure would adjust it for inflation to 2022 money and grant judges and juries the right to award above the cap in the event of catastrophic injuries. Catastrophic injuries include death, permanent mental or physical disability, disfigurement, or sexual disability(termed permanent loss of consortium in legal jargon).
Number three would allow CalRecycle, the state recycling authority, to impose extra regulations and taxes to reduce single-use plastics. All companies would have to ensure that their plastics can be recycled, reused, or composted by 2030, all producers would have to eliminate any and all single-use plastics that CalRecycle determines are unnecessary for products, single-use packaging and foodware would have to be reduced across the board by 25% by 2030, recycled and renewable materials would be required in the production of single-use packaging, CalRecycle would be required to establish plastic goods deposits and more take-back programmes statewide, labeling standards for sorting discarded single-use packaging would be established and imposed, food vendors would be expressly prohibited from using expanded polystyrene in packaging, and a new fee would be imposed on single-use packaging called the California Plastic Pollution Reduction Fee. This new tax would be maxed at one cent per item with CalRecycle having the right to set it anywhere below that. 50% of all money from it would go to CalRecycle to enforce the measure, 30% would go to the CNRA for grants for things like habitat restoration and mitigating plastic-based habitat destruction, and 20% would go to local government for recycling, compoting, and plastic mitigation measures.
Number four is a veto measure. Back in 2020, California passed SB793, which bans the sale of flavoured tobacco except for loose leaf and hookah tobacco and premium cigars, effectively a ban on flavoured vapes and menthols. The tobacco industry has managed to get this veto measure on the ballot, however, so a Yes vote will uphold the bill while a No will reject it.
Number two would raise the cap on noneconomic damages in malpractice lawsuits. The cap has been set at $250,000 since 1975, and this measure would adjust it for inflation to 2022 money and grant judges and juries the right to award above the cap in the event of catastrophic injuries. Catastrophic injuries include death, permanent mental or physical disability, disfigurement, or sexual disability(termed permanent loss of consortium in legal jargon).
Number three would allow CalRecycle, the state recycling authority, to impose extra regulations and taxes to reduce single-use plastics. All companies would have to ensure that their plastics can be recycled, reused, or composted by 2030, all producers would have to eliminate any and all single-use plastics that CalRecycle determines are unnecessary for products, single-use packaging and foodware would have to be reduced across the board by 25% by 2030, recycled and renewable materials would be required in the production of single-use packaging, CalRecycle would be required to establish plastic goods deposits and more take-back programmes statewide, labeling standards for sorting discarded single-use packaging would be established and imposed, food vendors would be expressly prohibited from using expanded polystyrene in packaging, and a new fee would be imposed on single-use packaging called the California Plastic Pollution Reduction Fee. This new tax would be maxed at one cent per item with CalRecycle having the right to set it anywhere below that. 50% of all money from it would go to CalRecycle to enforce the measure, 30% would go to the CNRA for grants for things like habitat restoration and mitigating plastic-based habitat destruction, and 20% would go to local government for recycling, compoting, and plastic mitigation measures.
Number four is a veto measure. Back in 2020, California passed SB793, which bans the sale of flavoured tobacco except for loose leaf and hookah tobacco and premium cigars, effectively a ban on flavoured vapes and menthols. The tobacco industry has managed to get this veto measure on the ballot, however, so a Yes vote will uphold the bill while a No will reject it.
This measure would decrease the state income tax rate for individuals and corporations from 4.55% to 4.4% until the end of 2024.
Connecticut is voting on an amendment that would allow for early voting.
Amendment 1 would allow the legisature to pass laws that forbid counties from taking flood mitigation measures into account when valuing properties for taxation purposes.
Amendment 2 would disband Florida's infamous Constitution Revision Commission, the one that gave us those oddly matched amendments in 2018.
Amendment 2 would disband Florida's infamous Constitution Revision Commission, the one that gave us those oddly matched amendments in 2018.
Georgia's first ballot measure would amend the constitution to suspend compensation for elected state executives or legislative members if they've been suspended from office due to a felony indictment.
Georgia's second ballot measure would expand a current personal property tax exemption for farm equipment. First, it would expand it to allow any entity that's a merger of multiple family farms. Second, eggs and dairy products would also be exempt from such taxes.
Georgia's second ballot measure would expand a current personal property tax exemption for farm equipment. First, it would expand it to allow any entity that's a merger of multiple family farms. Second, eggs and dairy products would also be exempt from such taxes.
Idaho will vote to amend their constitution to allow the State Legislature to convene itself for a special session if the Senate President Pro Tempore and the House Speaker receive a written request with at least 60% of both houses signatures. The legislature would only be allowed to discuss any topics mentioned in the request. The Legislature would also be allowed to convene on the first Thursday in December following a general elections for an organisational session.
Illinois will be voting to amend its constitution to guarantee the right to collective bargaining and negotiation.
Iowa will be voting to add a right to bear arms to their constitution and require strict scrutiny of any infringement of that right brought before a court.
On August 2, Kansas will be voting on an amendment that states that there is no right to an abortion in the state constitution. Back in 2019, the Kansas Supreme Court said that their bill of rights did, in fact, guarantee such a right, this would supersede that.
Kentucky's first proposed amendment would change end dates for the commonwealth legislature. First, the legislature would be allowed to change its own end date via approval of 60% of both houses. Second, the House Speaker and Senate President would have the right to call a special session up to 12 days long. Third, all laws would take effect either on July 1 or 90 days after the Governor signed them into law, whichever's later.
The second proposed amendment is another measure that would expressly deny the right to an abortion in the constitution.
The second proposed amendment is another measure that would expressly deny the right to an abortion in the constitution.
Amendment number one would allow taxing authorities, by a two-thirds vote, to raise property tax rates to the maximum allowed by the constitution. Currently, they're only allowed to raise them to last year's maximum, which the state determines every four years with homestead exemptions considered.
Amendment number two would allow local governments to waive monthly water rates for people if water infrastructure was damaged through no fault of the customers(i.e., hurricane-based pipe damage).
Amendment number three would limit the increase in property values in Orleans Parish to 10% annually starting in 2023.
Amendment number four would allow five funds(The Louisiana Education Quality Trust Fund, the Artificial Reef Development Fund, the Lifetime Licence Endowment Trust Fund, the Rockefeller Wildlife Refuge Trust and Protection Fund, and the Russell Sage or Marsh Island Refuge Fund-either one), to invest up to 65% of their money into stocks. Currently, they're limited to 35%.
Amendment number five would allow civil or classified servants to publicly support the election campaigns of immediate family members when off duty.
Amendment number two would allow local governments to waive monthly water rates for people if water infrastructure was damaged through no fault of the customers(i.e., hurricane-based pipe damage).
Amendment number three would limit the increase in property values in Orleans Parish to 10% annually starting in 2023.
Amendment number four would allow five funds(The Louisiana Education Quality Trust Fund, the Artificial Reef Development Fund, the Lifetime Licence Endowment Trust Fund, the Rockefeller Wildlife Refuge Trust and Protection Fund, and the Russell Sage or Marsh Island Refuge Fund-either one), to invest up to 65% of their money into stocks. Currently, they're limited to 35%.
Amendment number five would allow civil or classified servants to publicly support the election campaigns of immediate family members when off duty.
Maryland's first amendment would change the name of the Maryland Court of Appeals to the Supreme Court of Maryland. It would also change the name of the Court of Special Appeals to the Appellate Court of Maryland.
Amendment number two would change how much money in controversy needed to guarantee a jury trial in civil cases. The minimum limit would go up to $25,000 from the current $15,000.
Amendment number three would require that people running for state or federal office would have to have their primary residence in the district they plan to stand for for at least six months, thus changing the requirement from simply having a residence of some sort in the district. It also changes all language in the constitution to gender-neutral language.
Amendment number two would change how much money in controversy needed to guarantee a jury trial in civil cases. The minimum limit would go up to $25,000 from the current $15,000.
Amendment number three would require that people running for state or federal office would have to have their primary residence in the district they plan to stand for for at least six months, thus changing the requirement from simply having a residence of some sort in the district. It also changes all language in the constitution to gender-neutral language.
Massachusetts is voting on an amendment that would create a new 4% income tax for all incomes over $1 million. This tax would go to education and transportation.
First, there's Amendment 1. This would allow the State Treasurer to invest state money into any of the top five highest-rates long-term or short-term municipal securities. It would also allow the State Legislature to pass laws to allow the Treausrer to invest in other securities.
Second, there's an automatic convention question, which Missouri gets every 20 years.
Second, there's an automatic convention question, which Missouri gets every 20 years.
First, C-48 would amend the constitution to require search warrants to access electronic data and communications.
Second, LR-131 would implement a "born alive" law in Montana, stating all people born alive are people and would require care for them even in the event of an attempted abortion. Violations of this law would result in a maximum of 20 years imprisonment and/or a $50,000 fine.
Third, LR-132 would change how the Supreme Court is chosen. Instead of being elected at-large statewide, Montana would be divided into seven new judicial districts, and the current justices would each be assigned one. They could run in the district they get in 2024 or move to another one if they wish. The district voters would elect the justices every eight years, and the Chief Justice would be chosen amongst themselves.
Second, LR-131 would implement a "born alive" law in Montana, stating all people born alive are people and would require care for them even in the event of an attempted abortion. Violations of this law would result in a maximum of 20 years imprisonment and/or a $50,000 fine.
Third, LR-132 would change how the Supreme Court is chosen. Instead of being elected at-large statewide, Montana would be divided into seven new judicial districts, and the current justices would each be assigned one. They could run in the district they get in 2024 or move to another one if they wish. The district voters would elect the justices every eight years, and the Chief Justice would be chosen amongst themselves.
First, there's a measure that would create a fourth tax bracket for casinos(the gamblers aren't being taxed, just the casinos themselves). All gross revenue above $250,000 a year would be taxed at 9.75%. Currently, the highest tax rate is 6.75% for all gross revenue over $134,000.
Second, another tax measure would raise the state's Local School Support Tax, a sales tax, up to 3.75% from 2.25%. With a 2015 sales tax added, state sales tax would now be 4.1%. Keep in mind, this measure and the one above were both sponsored by the Clark County Education Association, who had actually tried to withdraw them both after a mining tax increase gave them the money they needed. The Secretary of State, however, said that the measured had already been certified and couldn't be withdrawn.
Third, an ERA is being proposed for Nevada, an amendment that would ban discrimination on the basis of sex, race, colour, creed, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, ancestry, or national origin.
Fourth, a proposal would raise the minimum wage to $12 per hour by 2024(currently its $12 for people without employer-based health benefits and $11 for people with it), but it would also remove the current annual inflation adjustments to the wage. It would also allow the legislature to set higher minimum wages than the constitutional minimum.
Second, another tax measure would raise the state's Local School Support Tax, a sales tax, up to 3.75% from 2.25%. With a 2015 sales tax added, state sales tax would now be 4.1%. Keep in mind, this measure and the one above were both sponsored by the Clark County Education Association, who had actually tried to withdraw them both after a mining tax increase gave them the money they needed. The Secretary of State, however, said that the measured had already been certified and couldn't be withdrawn.
Third, an ERA is being proposed for Nevada, an amendment that would ban discrimination on the basis of sex, race, colour, creed, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, ancestry, or national origin.
Fourth, a proposal would raise the minimum wage to $12 per hour by 2024(currently its $12 for people without employer-based health benefits and $11 for people with it), but it would also remove the current annual inflation adjustments to the wage. It would also allow the legislature to set higher minimum wages than the constitutional minimum.
Another convention vote as required every 10 years.
New Mexico's voting on an amendment that would require 1.25% of the Land Grant Permanent Fund(the state's education fund made up of investment returns and royalties and leases on things like oil and natural gas) to go to early childhood education(60%) and public education in general(40%). This would mean that 6.25% is altogether being dedicated to certain funds and projects.
The first amendment would "ensure that every resident of Oregon has access to cost-effective, clinically appropriate and affordable health care as a fundamental right."
The second amendment would remove slavery as a possible punishment for crime and authorise courts or probation agencies to order alternatives to imprisonment as part of sentencing convicts.
The second amendment would remove slavery as a possible punishment for crime and authorise courts or probation agencies to order alternatives to imprisonment as part of sentencing convicts.
Amendment C, to be decided on June 7, would require any ballot measure that increases taxes or fees or requires to state to appropriate more than $10 million within the first five fiscal years to be passed by 60%+1 of voters.
In November, Amendment D would increase Medicaid access to ACA levels.
In November, Amendment D would increase Medicaid access to ACA levels.
Measure number one would add a Right-to-Work Amendment to Tennessee's Constitution. Tennessee already has a similar law banning union membership as a requirement for employment.
Measure number two would remove slavery as a punishment for convicts.
Measure number three would set up an order for an Acting Governor. Tennessee is the only state that still does not have any constitutional provisions for an Acting Governor if the sitting Governor is temporarily unable to carry out their duty. The Governor could send a letter to both legislative leaders, or a majority of executive agencies could approve a measure declaring unfitness. Either way, the Senate Speaker and Lieutenant Governor would take over as Acting Governor.
Measure number two would remove slavery as a punishment for convicts.
Measure number three would set up an order for an Acting Governor. Tennessee is the only state that still does not have any constitutional provisions for an Acting Governor if the sitting Governor is temporarily unable to carry out their duty. The Governor could send a letter to both legislative leaders, or a majority of executive agencies could approve a measure declaring unfitness. Either way, the Senate Speaker and Lieutenant Governor would take over as Acting Governor.
Unusual, but they passed a couple of measures that came too late for a odd-year vote and will appear on May 7. First, there's an amendment that would reduce the tax limit for school maintenance and operations on homesteads of elderly or disabled residents in accordance with a law passed last year.
Second, another amendment would raise the homestead exemption for school property taxes to $40,000 from the current $25,000.
Second, another amendment would raise the homestead exemption for school property taxes to $40,000 from the current $25,000.
Utah will vote an amendment that would raise the limit on appropriations made during emergency legislative sessions. The limit would go up to 5% of the previous year's budget from the current 1%. Federal funding would be exempt as would anything that decreases total spending for the year.
Amendment number one would state that no state court has any authority over any impeachments made by the legislature and that no court can review such impeachments.
Amendment number two would allow the legislature to incorporate churches and religious denominations. West Virginia is the only state that still doesn't have such authority.
Amendment number three would any personal property used for businesses from property taxes.
Amendment number two would allow the legislature to incorporate churches and religious denominations. West Virginia is the only state that still doesn't have such authority.
Amendment number three would any personal property used for businesses from property taxes.
Amendment A would allow local governments to invest their money into stocks upon a two-thirds vote of the legislature. They would need a similar approval to increase the amount of funds being invested.
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