Maine Ballot Questions 2016

A Presentation bythe

League of Women Voters of Maine

www.lwvme.org

I. National & Historical Context

Ballot measures often touch on hot-button issues across the country. The 2016 ballot will not be an exception.

At least 148 statewide ballot measures have been certified for the 2016 ballot in 35 states.

The highest number ever was 272 ballot measures in 1998.

Ballot Measures often come through Citizens Initiatives.

This is despite new regulations on the initiative process enacted leading up to 2014, making it tougher in many states for initiative supporters to qualify for the ballot.68

of these were put

on ballots through signature petitions

rather than by legislatures

There are

148 measures on

ballots around the U.S in 2016

.

Notable topics on ballots across the country in 2016:

# of times a topic appears on a U.S. ballot in 2016

Gun Laws4

Healthcare5

Minimum Wage

4

Marijuana9

II. Historical Facts for Maine

Mainers like the Citizens Initiative Process

Since 1996, an average of 6 measures have appeared annually.

1996 2015116 measures have appeared on Maine ballots between 1996 and 2015

116 Ballot Measures in Maine between 1996 and 2015

Approved Defeated

23% De-feated

77% Approved

III. 2016 Maine Citizens Initiatives

A Citizens Initiative, also called a referendum or indirect initiative, is a process that allows citizens to propose new laws.

By collecting the required number of signatures, citizens can file a petition with the Secretary of State

and put the proposed new law on the ballot for a general vote.

The number of signatures needed to qualify a citizens initiative for the ballot is determined by the total number of votes cast for Governor in the previous election.

How does a Citizens Initiative get on the ballot?

10% of the total votes cast for Governor in 2014 is 61,123

Background

61,123 signatures

were needed for each initiative

Valid signatures

were submitted

for 5 initiatives in

2016.

Under Maine Law, qualifying measures (enough signatures were collected and the measure was certified by the Secretary of State) go before the Maine State Legislature and then to the ballot if not enacted by the Legislature.

None of the citizen initiated bills was enacted by the legislature in 2016. Few were even discussed.

The Process…

The 2016 ballot has five Citizen Initiative measures (or ballot questions) and one bond issue.

As a result…

Outcome on Election Day

Question #1

Question #2

Question #3

Question #4 Questio

n #5

Bond Questio

n

IV. List of Bills on the 2016 Ballot

As it will appear on the ballot:

Do you want to allow the possession and use of marijuana under state law by persons who are at least 21 years of age, and allow the cultivation, manufacture, distribution, testing, and sale of marijuana and marijuana products subject to state regulation, taxation and local ordinance?

Question 1: Citizen Initiative“An Act to Legalize Marijuana”

A vote “for” the initiative is a vote to legalize recreational marijuana.

It allows adults 21 years of age and older to possess a limited amount of marijuana, grow a limited number of marijuana plants in their homes, and possess the marijuana produced by those plants.

Public use will remain illegal. The initiative creates rules and regulations regarding the sale,

testing, production, transportation and sale of marijuana and related products by licensed businesses.

Cities and towns will have the right to prohibit the operation of marijuana facilities.

The initiative will enact a 10% tax on marijuana sales, used to implement and enforce regulations.

Medical marijuana sales will be exempt from this tax. A vote “against” the initiative is to prevent the legalization of

recreational marijuana

What this question means

It may help our economy. Taxing marijuana sales may increase revenue, create jobs, and utilize services of other Maine businesses.

A safer Maine: Regulation will allow for a system of licensed businesses that will sell to only adults with ID, test, label and package products to ensure products are safe and not contaminated.

Law enforcement can focus on more serious crimes and reduce the underground market.

It may reduce the prison population.

Question 1: Arguments for Yes

Recreational use of marijuana should remain illegal. Measure could negatively impact the local medical

marijuana community, affecting patients’ relationships, making marijuana a big business.

Proliferation of “Pot Shops” may result in greater exposure of youth to marijuana and increase its use among vulnerable populations.

Tax revenue of only 10% may be inadequate to cover expenses of enforcement and regulations.

Question 1: Arguments for No

As it will appear on the ballot:

Do you want to add a 3% tax on individual Maine taxable income above $200,000 to create a state fund that would provide direct support for student learning in kindergarten through 12th grade public education?

Question 2: Citizen Initiative“An Act to Establish the Fund to Advance Public Kindergarten to Grade 12 Education”

An Act to Establish the Fund to Advance Public Kindergarten to Grade 12 Education would increase state funding for K-12 education by instituting a dedicated three percent surcharge on income above $200,000 per taxpayer. 

Under Maine law, the state and the various municipalities share in the cost of K-12 education funding .

The added funding generated by Question 5 would help the state meet the target of funding 55% of the overall cost of K-12 education, which has been a state policy goal for many years. 

The law is designed to ensure that overall state funding for education increases and that this new funding supplements, and does not supplant, existing funding amounts.

What this question means

The public supports allocating at least 55% of the cost of public K-12 education to the state.

Money is needed to ensure that children receive a public education that meets Maine standards and prepares them for the future.

Increased funding should not place a higher tax burden on working families.

Taxpayers earning above $200,000 can afford a small surcharge to support public education.

The surcharge for a taxpayer earning $250,000 would be only $1,500.

Investing in public education is one of the best ways to improve Maine’s overall economy.

State funding for education can reduce pressure on local property taxes.

This funding is targeted to teachers rather than administrative overhead.

Question 2: Arguments for Yes

Maine already has a high tax burden and increasing income taxes – even for the wealthy – is a step in the wrong direction.

Education funding should be a local decision, so increasing state funding takes away discretion from the towns and cities.

Taxing high earners sends a signal that Maine does not welcome prosperous citizens, business owners and job creators.

High earners are mobile and may relocate to Florida or elsewhere if the tax burden continues to increase, thereby decreasing state revenue and economic activity.

Education does not need more funding.  We need to reallocate funds that are currently wasted on excessive administrative costs or low-performing schools.

Question 2: Arguments for No

As it will appear on the ballot:

Do you want to require background checks prior to the sale or transfer of firearms between individuals not licensed as firearms dealers, with failure to do so punishable by law, and with some exceptions for family members, hunting, self-defense, lawful competitions, and shooting range activity?

Question 3: Citizen Initiative“An Act to Require Background Checks for Gun Sales”

This law would require background checks before anyone can get a gun unless they purchase the gun from a licensed dealer. The law does not cover transfers between family members or transfers for hunting, self-defense, competition, or shooting at a shooting range.

What this question means

Under current Maine law, a private seller can sell a gun to a total stranger without having to run a criminal background check on the buyer or keep any records of the sale. This initiative would expand the current law so that everyone one conduct background checks when selling guns.

Background checks work to keep guns out of the hands of dangerous people. Every year background checks run by licensed dealers block hundreds of gun sales in Maine, sales to felons, domestic abusers and other dangerous people.

This doesn’t interfere with anyone’s ability to buy a gun it just expands the current law that licensed dealers must follow to all gun sales. Background checks are constitutional.

Arguments for Yes

Criminals will always find a way to get guns. This background check requirement will just put a burden

on law-abiding citizens and make it more expensive for a private person to sell their gun.

The U.S. and Maine Constitutions give people the right to own guns to protect themselves.

Arguments for No

As it will appear on the ballot:

Do you want to raise the minimum hourly wage of $7.50 to $9 in 2017, with annual $1 increases up to $12 in 2020, and annual cost-of-living increases thereafter; and do you want to raise the direct wage for service workers who receive tips from half the minimum wage to $5 in 2017, with annual $1 increases until it reaches the adjusted minimum wage?

Question 4: Citizen Initiative“An Act to Raise the Minimum Wage”

This law would raise the minimum wage. The currently minimum wage for employees who do not receive tips is $7.50. The new minimum wage would become $9.00 starting in 2017 and would increase by $1.00 each year until it reaches $12.00 on January 1, 2020. After 2020 the minimum wage would increase at the rate of inflation as measured by the Consumer Price Index.

The law also increases the minimum wage for employees who earn tips. Traditionally the minimum wage for employees who earn tips has been lower than the minimum wage for employees who do not earn tips. This law would increase the minimum wage for employees who earn tips to $5.00 beginning January 1, 2017. Starting in 2018, the minimum wage for tipped employees will increase by $1.00 until it is equal to minimum hourly for other employees. Eventually the minimum wage for tipped employees will equal the minimum wage for other employees.

What this question means

Will help bring greater economic stability to many minimum wage earners.

Will help minimum wage earners support their families. May decrease the number of people and families who are

dependent on state and federal financial aid. Will put extra money in the pockets of minimum wage

earners, allowing them to spend extra money in Maine, which may support Maine’s economy.

May make income for tipped employees more steady and dependable.

Arguments for Yes

Will increase costs to employers. May put small employers out of business and may result in

some employers leaving Maine. May be harmful to the job market because employers will

not be able to afford to employ as many employees due to increased costs.

Will make Maine a less attractive state for companies to do business in.

Increases the minimum wage too far, too fast.

Arguments for No

As it will appear on the ballot:

Do you want to allow voters to rank their choices of candidates in elections for U.S. Senate, Congress, Governor, State Senate, and State Representative, and to have ballots counted at the state level in multiple rounds in which last-place candidates are eliminated until a candidate wins by majority?

Question 5: Citizens Initiative“An Act To Establish Ranked-Choice Voting”

This new law changes the way voting is done in elections for Governor, U.S. Senate, U.S. House of Representatives, State Senate and State Representative.

If the new law is enacted, voters will be able to rank candidates in order of preference.

Voters may rank as many or as few candidates as they choose. Counting votes is also different. If one candidate is the first choice of the majority of voters, that candidate wins. If not, the candidate with the fewest first choice rankings is eliminated and the voters who made that candidate their top choice have their votes given to their second choice. This process repeats until a candidate has a majority of the votes.

What this question means

Restores majority rule. Candidates will have to get 50% plus one vote to win.

Eliminates vote splitting and the need for strategic voting. Gives voters more meaningful choices. Reduces incentives for negative campaigning. Encourages politicians to reach out to voters outside their

base support and build coalitions.

Arguments for Yes

May be ruled unconstitutional. May be costly for the state to implement. May cause delays in determining the winners of elections. May require more explanation for voters. May require central tabulation by state officials.

Arguments for No

As it will appear on the ballot:

Do you favor a $100,000,000 bond issue for construction, reconstruction and rehabilitation of highways and bridges and for facilities, equipment and property acquisition related to ports, harbors, marine transportation, freight and passenger railroads, aviation, transit and bicycle and pedestrian trails, to be used to match an estimated $137,000,000 in federal and other funds?

Question 6: Bond Issue

Question 6 triggers $137,000,000 in matching federal and other funds.

Most of this bill ($80 million) is marked for highway and bridge work.

The rest was earmarked for a variety of transportation projects, like facilities and equipment for aviation, marine transportation, railroads, and bicycle and pedestrian trails.

According to the Maine Office of Fiscal and Program Review, the total estimated life time cost is $133,000,000 representing $100,000,000 in principal and $33,000,000 in interest (assuming interest at 6.0% over 10 years)

This bill was supported by a bi-partisan group of Maine legislators and the Maine Department of Transportation.

What this question means

Bonds are an appropriate way to pay for long lasting infrastructure such as roads and bridges.

Construction projects funded by these bonds will put Mainers to work and stimulate the economy.

Our roads and bridges need to be maintained for our own safety and convenience, and to make Maine attractive to visitors.

Each dollar of bond authorization brings in matching funds, making bonds a great value.

Interest rates are at an historic low, which means borrowing now may cost less than it will in the future.

Arguments for Yes

Other areas also need investment, and money spent on roads and bridges may not the highest priority compared to education, social services, or other underfunded parts of the budget.

It takes a long time to pay off bonds, so this would increase the debt load that must be paid in the future.

Maine would add $100 million to its debt. Federal matching funds are not free – someone has to pay

them back, and that is the federal taxpayer.

Arguments for No

VOTE

For more information about the 2016 Election, see our Easy-to-Read Voter Guide. Featuring nonpartisan information on the candidates and ballot questions, plus details on how to register and how to vote in Maine.

Conclusion

Text researched and written by John Brautigam

Information fromBallotpedia.orgOffice of the Secretary of State of Maine For more information on the Citizens Initiative

Process see: http://www.maine.gov/sos/cec/elec/citizens/index.html

Credits

Join – Become a member of the League

Follow

Get to know the League

The League of Women Voters of MaineMaking Democracy Work