We've got the go ahead, there won't be any more rolling political threads, but these can still exist as stand alones. It is spring of 2023 in the US, and a former president has been indicted for the first time in our history. This is the thread to discuss that dvelopment as well as American campaigns, political news, and general US politics. Enjoy yourselves, play nice, and always remember days and memes gone by.
Plebiscite Plaza 2023:
This measure concerns excess tax money. Back in 2020, Prop EE was passed in Colorado, a measure that levied a new tax on vapes and raised other tobacco taxes. It ended up raising $318 million in 2022, or $24 million more than was expected. Under Colorado's TABOR, or Taxpayer's Bill of Rights, that would normally mean that the excess money would have to be refunded and the taxes lowered accordingly. Legislative Democrats weren't fans of giving money back to Big Tobacco, so they put this measure on the ballot. Voters will choose whether to refund the money to wholesalers and distributors and lower the taxes by 11.53% or make all of Prop EE's revenue TABOR-exempt.
Another measure would lower property taxes across the board until 2032 and would allow the state to spend money to make up any shortfall municipalities and counties would face from the tax cuts. Depending on valuation changes in the 32 counties with the smallest increases in property tax revenue, lodging and most other nonresidential property taxes would go down in increments from 29% to 25.9 or 26.9%, agricultural property taxes would drop to 25.9 or 26.4%, renewable energy agricultural property(a new class of property) would go down to 21.9%, and residential properties would see taxes go down from 7.15% to 6.7% for many homes, 6.7% minus $40,000 or just 6.7% for primary residences and multi-family properties, and 6.7% minus $140,000 or just 6.7%, whichever's lower, for qualifying seniors. It would also send $72 million from the state's general fund to the public school fund. All of these decreases would expire in 2033.
Another measure would lower property taxes across the board until 2032 and would allow the state to spend money to make up any shortfall municipalities and counties would face from the tax cuts. Depending on valuation changes in the 32 counties with the smallest increases in property tax revenue, lodging and most other nonresidential property taxes would go down in increments from 29% to 25.9 or 26.9%, agricultural property taxes would drop to 25.9 or 26.4%, renewable energy agricultural property(a new class of property) would go down to 21.9%, and residential properties would see taxes go down from 7.15% to 6.7% for many homes, 6.7% minus $40,000 or just 6.7% for primary residences and multi-family properties, and 6.7% minus $140,000 or just 6.7%, whichever's lower, for qualifying seniors. It would also send $72 million from the state's general fund to the public school fund. All of these decreases would expire in 2033.
The first measure, to be voted on on Saturday, October 14 like the next one, is an amendment that would ensure the right to worship at any place of worship.
Another amendment would prohibit nonprofits from receiving property tax exemptions on properties that are considered uninhabitable due to disrepair as determined by the city, town, or parish the property's in.
The third amendment would require 25% of all nonrecurring state revenue to be given to unfunded liabilities in the state's two public pension funds(one for state employees, one for teachers).
The fourth amendment would ban the use of funds, goods, and services from foreign or NGO sources in conducting elections.
Now for amendments up for a vote on Saturday, November 18, would allow the state legislature to consider vetoed bills during a regular or special session without having to convene a separate veto session. It would also stipulate that the governor's deadline to act on a bill is based on the legislative session in which the bill is passed or vetoed.
The second amendment would allow parishes to provide a new property tax exemption of up to $2,500 for first responders.
The third amendment would remove the constitutional language concerning six state funds that are now inactive and move money within those funds into the state's General Fund.
The fourth amendment would allow the Legislature, by a two-thirds majority, to transfer up to $250 million from the Budget Stabilisation Trust Fund(AKA Rainy Day Fund) into paying down the state's deficit, currently projected to go up to $420 million by 2025.
Another amendment would prohibit nonprofits from receiving property tax exemptions on properties that are considered uninhabitable due to disrepair as determined by the city, town, or parish the property's in.
The third amendment would require 25% of all nonrecurring state revenue to be given to unfunded liabilities in the state's two public pension funds(one for state employees, one for teachers).
The fourth amendment would ban the use of funds, goods, and services from foreign or NGO sources in conducting elections.
Now for amendments up for a vote on Saturday, November 18, would allow the state legislature to consider vetoed bills during a regular or special session without having to convene a separate veto session. It would also stipulate that the governor's deadline to act on a bill is based on the legislative session in which the bill is passed or vetoed.
The second amendment would allow parishes to provide a new property tax exemption of up to $2,500 for first responders.
The third amendment would remove the constitutional language concerning six state funds that are now inactive and move money within those funds into the state's General Fund.
The fourth amendment would allow the Legislature, by a two-thirds majority, to transfer up to $250 million from the Budget Stabilisation Trust Fund(AKA Rainy Day Fund) into paying down the state's deficit, currently projected to go up to $420 million by 2025.
Maine is voting on a measure that would effectively nationalise all energy distribution and transmission in the state. The measure would create a new state-run company called Pine Tree Power, and this company would have the right to purchase and acquire, invoking eminent domain of necessary, all private energy distribution and transmission companies. These acquisitions would begin 12 months after the measure passes or six months after the first board meeting, whichever's later. There would be a 13-member board of directors, seven of which would be elected and the six remaining would be experts with experience in utility law and management, concerns of utility employees and workers, concerns of commercial or industrial electricity consumers, technologies related to electricity, cybersecurity, and connectivity, climate mitigation and planning, and economic or social justice needs for low income or moderate income populations. They would be appointed by the elected members, all members would be Maine residents, and all terms would be for six years. Private sector operations would be handed over to a nongovernmental entity that hasn't been found unfit(the measure includes fitness criteria) for 10 years, Pine Tree Power would be exempt from income taxation, but it would pay property taxes, and it can't own any energy generation facilities unless the Public Utilities Commission grants a waiver. It could only raise funds by issuing bonds against its debt and by energy bills. Pine Tree Power would be required to give the state an annual report on its condition by April 15 at the latest, and the company could only be privatised or dissolved by law.
New York will be voting on an amendment that would eliminate the current maximum limit on how much debt small public school districts(meaning districts in any town or city with less then 125,000 people) could incur Currently it's 5% of full taxable property values.
Another amendment would extend the time period that sewer construction, repair, and maintenance would be excluded from how much debt a municipality could incur until 2034(currently set to expire in 2024 and routinely gets extended).
Another amendment would extend the time period that sewer construction, repair, and maintenance would be excluded from how much debt a municipality could incur until 2034(currently set to expire in 2024 and routinely gets extended).
Ohio will be voting on August 8 on Issue 1, an amendment that would raise the threshold for approving constitutional amendments from a simple majority to a 60% majority.
Normally, Oklahoma doesn't make odd-numbered year appearances, but a measure got on the ballot too late for 2022. SQ 820, up for a vote on March 7, would legalise marijuana in Oklahoma. Adults over age 21 could possess, transport, or distribute up to one ounce or marijuana, eight grams of concentrated marijuana, or up to eight grams of concentrated marijuana in infused products such as edibles. People could own up to six mature plants and up to six seedlings, and a process would be set up for expungement or modification of previous marijuana-related crimes. Sales would be taxed at 15%, with most funds going to the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority's implementation of this measure. Remaining funds would be distributed to the state's general fund(30%), public school grants to encourage student retention, after-school and enrichment, and campaigns against substance abuse(30%), grants to government agencies and non-profits to fund addiction treatment and OD prevention programmes(20%), the state judicial revolving fund(10%), and the city or county where the weed was sold(10%). REJECTED
Texas' first amendment would allow conservation and reclamation districts in El Paso County to issue bonds to fund county parks and recreation facilities.
The second amendment would establish a constitutional right to farming, ranching, wildlife management, horticulture, and timbering.
The third amendment would raise the mandatory retirement age for state judges from age 75 to 79. It would also remove a provision that requires judges to retire at the end of their fourth year of a six-year term if they reach retirement age within that span.
The fourth Amendment is a county amendment. Yes, Texas does have them, but they aren't as common as Alabama. This amendment would abolish the office of County Treasurer in Galveston County. This is up because the recently-elected treasurer of the County is a fairly Libertarian guy who ran specifically on a promise to abolish his office, which requires an amendment because Treasurer is a constitutional office for most counties. Both the state and the county will have to approve it.
The fifth amendment would create a new property tax exemption for personal property manufactured by medical or biomedical companies.
The sixth amendment would ban wealth or net worth taxes in Texas.
The seventh amendment would allow partial(no less than 50%) or total property tax exemptions for child care facilities.
The eighth amendment would create the Centennial Parks Conservation Fund, which would be financed through legislative grants, Parks and Wildlife Department grants, and through investments. This fund would be used for creating and maintaining state parks.
The ninth amendment would allow the legislature to make cost-of-living adjustments for pensioners in the State Teacher's Retirement Fund for two years.
The tenth amendment would create the Texas Energy Fund, funded by the Legislature and run by the Public Utilities Commission. The fund would be used to update power plants.
The eleventh amendment would create the Texas Broadband Infrastructure Fund, funded by the Legislature and used to finance broadband and telecommunications projects.
The twelfth amendment would create the Texas Water Fund to be run by the Texas Water Development Board and used to finance water projects.
The thirteenth amendment would rename the National University Research Fund to the Texas University Fund. It would also allocate the annual interest, earnings, and investment income from the state Economic Stabilisation Fund to it.
The second amendment would establish a constitutional right to farming, ranching, wildlife management, horticulture, and timbering.
The third amendment would raise the mandatory retirement age for state judges from age 75 to 79. It would also remove a provision that requires judges to retire at the end of their fourth year of a six-year term if they reach retirement age within that span.
The fourth Amendment is a county amendment. Yes, Texas does have them, but they aren't as common as Alabama. This amendment would abolish the office of County Treasurer in Galveston County. This is up because the recently-elected treasurer of the County is a fairly Libertarian guy who ran specifically on a promise to abolish his office, which requires an amendment because Treasurer is a constitutional office for most counties. Both the state and the county will have to approve it.
The fifth amendment would create a new property tax exemption for personal property manufactured by medical or biomedical companies.
The sixth amendment would ban wealth or net worth taxes in Texas.
The seventh amendment would allow partial(no less than 50%) or total property tax exemptions for child care facilities.
The eighth amendment would create the Centennial Parks Conservation Fund, which would be financed through legislative grants, Parks and Wildlife Department grants, and through investments. This fund would be used for creating and maintaining state parks.
The ninth amendment would allow the legislature to make cost-of-living adjustments for pensioners in the State Teacher's Retirement Fund for two years.
The tenth amendment would create the Texas Energy Fund, funded by the Legislature and run by the Public Utilities Commission. The fund would be used to update power plants.
The eleventh amendment would create the Texas Broadband Infrastructure Fund, funded by the Legislature and used to finance broadband and telecommunications projects.
The twelfth amendment would create the Texas Water Fund to be run by the Texas Water Development Board and used to finance water projects.
The thirteenth amendment would rename the National University Research Fund to the Texas University Fund. It would also allocate the annual interest, earnings, and investment income from the state Economic Stabilisation Fund to it.
Question 1, to be voted on on April 4 with the next measure, would amend the constitution to allow the state legislature to define "serious harm" in relation to the conditions that a judge can impose on an accused person if they're released from jail before conviction. At the moment, judges can impose any condition they want to prevent bodily harm to others.
Question 2 would amend the constitution to allow judges to consider an accused person's previous convictions, the probability of them not appearing in court, the need to protect the community from serious harm(as defined by Question 1 if it passes), the need to protect witnesses from harm, and any potential affirmative defences before setting cash bail amounts. BOTH APPROVED
Question 2 would amend the constitution to allow judges to consider an accused person's previous convictions, the probability of them not appearing in court, the need to protect the community from serious harm(as defined by Question 1 if it passes), the need to protect witnesses from harm, and any potential affirmative defences before setting cash bail amounts. BOTH APPROVED
He could articulate very well why his beliefs were consistent with radical republicanism. I came to opposite conclusions on many policy issues. I think mainly because of our differences in underlying philosophy of government.
