Brought to you by Election Magic Michigan November 6, 2012 General Presidential Election - 11/6/2012

Proposal Text

State Proposal 12-1 -- A Referendum on Public Act 4 of 2011 - The Emergency Manager Law

Public Act 4 of 2011 would: • Establish criteria to assess the financial condition of local government units, including school districts. • Authorize Governor to appoint an emergency manager (EM) upon state finding of a financial emergency, and allow the EM to act in place of local government officials. • Require EM to develop financial and operating plans, which may include modification or termination of contracts, reorganization of government, and determination of expenditures, services, and use of assets until the emergency is resolved. • Alternatively, authorize state-appointed review team to enter into a local government approved consent decree. Should this law be approved?

State Proposal 12-2 -- A proposal to amend the State Constitution regarding collective bargaining

This proposal would: • Grant public and private employees the constitutional right to organize and bargain collectively through labor unions. • Invalidate existing or future state or local laws that limit the ability to join unions and bargain collectively, and to negotiate and enforce collective bargaining agreements, including employees’ financial support of their labor unions. Laws may be enacted to prohibit public employees from striking. • Override state laws that regulate hours and conditions of employment to the extent that those laws conflict with collective bargaining agreements. • Define 'employer' as a person or entity employing one or more employees. Should this proposal be approved?

State Proposal 12-3 -- A proposal to amend the State Constitution to establish a standard for renewable energy

This proposal would: • Require electric utilities to provide at least 25% of their annual retail sales of electricity from renewable energy sources, which are wind, solar, biomass, and hydropower, by 2025. • Limit to not more than 1% per year electric utility rate increases charged to consumers only to achieve compliance with the renewable energy standard. • Allow annual extensions of the deadline to meet the 25% standard in order to prevent rate increases over the 1% limit. • Require the legislature to enact additional laws to encourage the use of Michigan made equipment and employment of Michigan residents. Should this proposal be approved?

State Proposal 12-4 -- A proposal to amend the State Constitution to establish the MQHCC

A PROPOSAL TO AMEND THE STATE CONSTITUTION TO ESTABLISH THE MICHIGAN QUALITY HOME CARE COUNCIL AND PROVIDE COLLECTIVE BARGAINING FOR IN-HOME CARE WORKERS This proposal would: • Allow in-home care workers to bargain collectively with the Michigan Quality Home Care Council (MQHCC). Continue the current exclusive representative of in-home care workers until modified in accordance with labor laws. • Require MQHCC to provide training for in-home care workers, create a registry of workers who pass background checks, and provide financial services to patients to manage the cost of in-home care. • Preserve patients’ rights to hire in-home care workers who are not referred from the MQHCC registry who are bargaining unit members. • Authorize the MQHCC to set minimum compensation standards and terms and conditions of employment. Should this proposal be approved?

State Proposal 12-5 -- A proposal to amend the State Constitution to limit the enactment of new taxes by State Government

This proposal would: Require a 2/3 majority vote of the State House and the State Senate, or a statewide vote of the people at a November election, in order for the State of Michigan to impose new or additional taxes on taxpayers or expand the base of taxation or increasing the rate of taxation. This section shall in no way be construed to limit or modify tax limitations otherwise created in this Constitution. Should this proposal be approved?

State Proposal 12-6 -- A proposal to amend the State Constitution regarding construction of international bridges & tunnels

This proposal would: • Require the approval of a majority of voters at a statewide election and in each municipality where 'new international bridges or tunnels for motor vehicles' are to be located before the State of Michigan may expend state funds or resources for acquiring land, designing, soliciting bids for, constructing, financing, or promoting new international bridges or tunnels. • Create a definition of 'new international bridges or tunnels for motor vehicles' that means, 'any bridge or tunnel which is not open to the public and serving traffic as of January 1, 2012.' Should this proposal be approved?

Calhoun County, Veterans' Proposal -- Veterans' Millage Proposal

If approved, this proposal will authorize .10 mills to be levied by Calhoun County from 2013 through 2022, to provide funding of financial aid and services for Calhoun County veterans and to support the Calhoun County Veterans’ Affairs Office and Veterans’ Affairs Committee in providing services and financial aid to veterans. Shall a .10 mill (1/10 of a mill, or 10 cents per $1,000 of taxable value) increase on the limitation on the amount of taxes on the general ad valorem taxes (real and tangible personal property) within Calhoun County, State of Michigan, imposed under Article IX, Section 6 of the Michigan Constitution be authorized for a period of ten (10) years, from 2013 through 2022, both inclusive, for the purpose of providing financial aid and services to veterans as authorized by MCL §35.21, MCL §35.621, MCL §35.801, and MCL §35.803 and to support the Calhoun County Veterans’ Affairs Office and the Calhoun County Veterans’ Affairs Committee in their provision of financial aid and services to veterans? If approved and levied, the requested millage would provide estimated revenues of approximately Three Hundred Thirty Two Thousand Five Hundred Forty and 00/100 Dollars ($332,540) when first levied in 2013.

City of Marshall, Annual Trash Proposal -- Annual Trash, Leaf and Brush Millage Proposal

Shall the City of Marshall levy 0.5 mills (50¢ per $1,000 of taxable value), for four years, 2013 through 2016 inclusive, for the purpose of providing revenue for the once annual removal of trash, leaves and brush, which will raise an estimated $98,000 in the first year the millage is levied? If approved this would be a new additional millage.

City of Marshall, A#1 -- Amendment #1

Shall the reference to the Oath of Office prescribed for by the Constitution of the State of Michigan of 1963, Article 11, Section 1 in Sections 2.02(b) and 3.01(b) of the Marshall City Charter be set out in those sections as referring to that section in place of the current language which refers to Section 1 of Article Two of the Michigan Constitution?

City of Marshall, A#2 -- Amendment #2

Shall Article II, Section 2.04 of the Marshall City Charter be amended to provide that members of the City Council, who are currently paid $300 annually and the Mayor who is currently paid $500 annually, shall receive no compensation for their services?

City of Marshall, A#3 -- Amendment #3

Shall Section 2.10 of the Marshall City Charter be amended to provide for the City Manager to appoint the Clerk, Treasurer, and Assessor in place of the current provision which provides for these offices to be appointed by the Mayor subject to confirmation by the Council?

City of Marshall, A#4 -- Amendment #4

Shall Section 2.11 of the Marshall City Charter be amended to delete the requirement, no longer enforceable under state law, that the City Manager shall live in the city?

City of Marshall, A#5 -- Amendment #5

Shall Article II, Section 2.15 of the Marshall City Charter be amended to provide that the City Council regularly meet every month rather than twice a month as currently provided for in the Charter?

City of Marshall, A#6 -- Amendment #6

Shall Article II, Section 2.27 of the Marshall City Charter be amended to provide that the City Council will set the salaries of all administrative officials, department heads and salaried personnel by June 30 of each year, and that these salaries be included in the annual budget adopted not later than the first meeting of the Council in June of each year?

City of Marshall, A#7 -- Amendment #7

Note: Adoption of this Proposal No. 7 is conditioned on the adoption at this election of Proposal No. 9. Shall Marshall City Charter Sections 2.10, 3.01(a), 3.03(a), 3.05 and 3.06 be amended to provide that the combined offices of Clerk-Treasurer shall be set out in the Charter as separate offices with the current duties of the Clerk-Treasurer apportioned in these sections to the offices of Clerk and Treasurer?

City of Marshall, A#8 -- Amendment #8

Shall Section 3.03(a) of the City of Marshall Charter be amended to increase the number of persons eligible to be designated by the City Manager and by the City Council to exercise the City Manager’s powers in the City Manager’s absence or disability from the city’s administrative officials to all employees of the city?

City of Marshall, A#9 -- Amendment #9

Note: Adoption of this Proposal No. 9 is conditioned on the adoption at this election of Proposal No. 7. Shall Article III, Section 3.05 and 3.06 of the Marshall City Charter be amended to reflect that the positions of Clerk and Treasurer are separate and state the duties of each office in the corresponding Section? The Charter currently provides that the Clerk-Treasurer is one office, and this amendment would allow the position to be split into two separate offices along with their relevant duties.

City of Marshall, A#10 -- Amendment #10

Shall the Charter of the City of Marshall, Article VII be deleted; to remove the requirement of a City-operated library and the remaining chapters in the Charter be renumbered?

Burlington Township, Library Proposal -- Library Millage Proposal

Shall the Burlington Township Library be authorized to levy a new additional tax annually upon the taxable value of all property subject to ad valorem taxation within the Township of Burlington in an amount not to exceed .3 mills ($.30 per $1,000 of taxable value) for a six (6) year duration commencing 2013, through 2018, inclusive to provide funds for all Library purposes authorized by law? This millage is estimated to provide revenues of $13,489.50 in the first year of levy.

Clarence Township, Millage Proposal -- Millage Renewal Proposal

Shall the expired previous voted increases in the tax limitations imposed under Article IX, Section 6 of the Michigan Constitution in Clarence Township, of 1.0 mills ($1 per $1,000 of taxable value), reduced to .8039 mills ($.8309 per $1,000 of taxable value) by the required millage rollbacks, be renewed at and increased up to the original voted 1.0 mills ($1 per $1,000 of taxable value) and levied for 6 (Six) years, 2012 through 2017 inclusive, for general township operating purposes, raising an estimated $13,800.00 in the first year the millage is levied.

Marengo Township, Millage Proposal -- Operating Millage Renewal Proposal

Shall the tax limitation on general ad valorem taxes within Marengo Township imposed under Article IX, Sec. 6 of the Michigan Constitution now reduced from the allocated one (1) mill to .8387 for said township be renewed at and increased up to original voted one (1) mill for said township by .1613 mills ($0.1613 per $1,000 of taxable value) for the period of 2013 through 2019, inclusive, for general township operating purposes; and shall the township levy such increase in millage for said purpose, thereby raising the first year an estimated $11,295.70 (this is a renewal of operating millage)?

Village of Union City, Police/Equipment Proposal -- Police Protection and Equipment Millage Proposal

Shall the Village of Union City levy a total of 4 mills ($4.00 per $1,000) on taxable value of property located in the Village of Union City for 10 years beginning with the 2013 tax levy year and running through the 2022 tax levy year (inclusive), which will raise in the first year of such tax levy an estimated revenue of $79,772 to be used for the specific purpose of continuing to operate the Village of Union City Police Department? If approved this would be a new additional millage.

School District of the City of Battle Creek, Proposal I -- I. Operating Millage Renewal Proposal

This proposal will allow the school district to levy the statutory rate of 18 mills on all property, except principal residence and other property exempted by law, required for the school district to receive its revenue per pupil foundation allowance and renews millage that will expire with the 2012 tax levy. Shall the currently authorized millage rate limitation of 18 mills ($18.00 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation) on the amount of taxes which may be assessed against all property, except principal residence and other property exempted by law, in School District of the City of Battle Creek, Calhoun County, Michigan, be renewed for a period of 6 years, 2013 to 2018, inclusive, to provide funds for operating purposes; the estimate of the revenue the school district will collect if the millage is approved and levied in 2013 is approximately $5,655,195 (this is a renewal of millage which will expire with the 2012 tax levy)?

School District of the City of Battle Creek, Proposal II -- II. Millage Renewal Proposal Building and Site Sinking Fund Tax Levy

Shall the currently authorized millage rate of 2 mills ($2.00 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation) which may be assessed against all property in School District of the City of Battle Creek, Calhoun County, Michigan, be renewed for a period of 6 years, 2013 to 2018, inclusive, to continue to provide for a sinking fund for the construction or repair of school buildings, the purchase of real estate for sites, and all other purposes authorized by law; the estimate of the revenue the school district will collect if the millage is approved and levied in 2013 is approximately $2,091,148 (this is a renewal of millage which will expire with the 2012 tax levy)?

Gull Lake Community Schools, Millage Proposal -- Operating Millage Renewal Proposal

This proposal will allow the school district to continue to levy the statutory rate of 18 mills on all property, except principal residence and other property exempted by law, required for the school district to receive its revenue per pupil foundation allowance. The remaining .5548 mill is only available to be levied to restore millage lost as a result of the reduction required by the 'Headlee' amendment to the Michigan Constitution of 1963 and will only be levied to the extent necessary to restore that reduction. Shall the currently authorized millage rate limitation of 18.5548 mills ($18.5548 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation) on the amount of taxes which may be assessed against all property, except principal residence and other property exempted by law, in Gull Lake Community Schools, Kalamazoo, Barry and Calhoun Counties, Michigan, be renewed for a period of 20 years, 2014 to 2033, inclusive, to provide funds for operating purposes; the estimate of the revenue the school district will collect if the millage is approved and levied in 2014 is approximately $3,234,938 (this is a renewal of millage which will expire with the 2013 tax levy)?

Harper Creek Community Schools, Millage Proposal -- Operating Millage Renewal Proposal

This proposal will allow the school district to levy the statutory rate of 18 mills on all property, except principal residence and other property exempted by law, required for the school district to receive its revenue per pupil foundation allowance and renews millage that will expire with the 2012 tax levy. Shall the currently authorized millage rate limitation of 19 mills ($19.00 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation) on the amount of taxes which may be assessed against all property, except principal residence and other property exempted by law, in Harper Creek Community Schools, Calhoun County, Michigan, be renewed for a period of 6 years, 2013 to 2018, inclusive, to provide funds for operating purposes; the estimate of the revenue the school district will collect if the millage is approved and levied in 2013 is approximately $2,521,947 (this is a renewal of millage which will expire with the 2012 tax levy and shall be levied only to the extent permissible by law)?

Lakeview School District, Millage Proposal -- Operating Millage Renewal Proposal

This proposal will allow the school district to levy the statutory rate of 18 mills on all property, except principal residence and other property exempted by law, required for the school district to receive its revenue per pupil foundation allowance and renews millage that will expire with the 2012 tax levy. Shall the currently authorized millage rate limitation of 18 mills ($18.00 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation) on the amount of taxes which may be assessed against all property, except principal residence and other property exempted by law, in Lakeview School District, Calhoun County, Michigan, be renewed for a period of 6 years, 2013 to 2018, inclusive, to provide funds for operating purposes; the estimate of the revenue the school district will collect if the millage is approved and levied in 2013 is approximately $4,142,540 (this is a renewal of millage which will expire with the 2012 tax levy)?

Litchfield Community Schools, Bldg & Site Sinking Fund -- Millage Renewal Proposal Building and Site Sinking Fund Tax Levy

Shall the currently authorized millage rate of .75 mill ($0.75 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation) which may be assessed against all property in Litchfield Community Schools, Hillsdale, Jackson, Calhoun and Branch Counties, Michigan, be renewed for a period of 2 years, 2013 and 2014, inclusive, to continue to provide for a sinking fund for the construction or repair of school buildings and all other purposes authorized by law; the estimate of the revenue the school district will collect if the millage is approved and levied in 2013 is approximately $79,000 (this is a renewal of millage which will expire with the 2012 tax levy)?

Olivet Community Schools, Recall -- Recall

Statement of Reason: In the recent search for a new superintendent for Olivet Community Schools Mrs. Page has disregarded the voiced concern of the community over the selected candidate. She has also disregarded a letter from the OEA asking the Olivet Board of Education to repost the superintendent position. Mrs. Page has a close personal relationship with the candidate that has been selected, as the candidate’s husband has been on the Olivet Board of Education for the past fifteen years. This creates a conflict of interest for Mrs. Page as well as other board members. She has hired a candidate that does not fit the current Olivet Board Policy and is by many counts not qualified for the job. Justification of Conduct in Office: On September 26, 2011 the board hired the Michigan Association of School Boards for a national superintendent search which was concluded without obtaining a suitable candidate. After the search, Brooke Judd, who served as the interim assistant superintendent during the 2011-12 year, was interviewed on June 11, 2012 at an open meeting. By a unanimous vote the board proceeded with a motion to enter into contract negotiations with hiring Brooke Judd as superintendent. There’s not a conflict of interest because Brooke Judd was an internal candidate and the best candidate for the district and the students. The Olivet Board of Education, in compliance with state law on June 25, 2012, hired Brooke Judd with a two year contract by a unanimous vote. While serving on the board for the past 30 years, I, Bethel Page, have been and will always be dedicated to improving the educational opportunities for our students. During my tenure on the board, we hired five extremely successful superintendents by unanimous votes, as well as recognized continual student enrollment growth, by attracting new students, upgrading and building new facilities, and retaining an outstanding group of administrators, teachers and staff. Shall Beth Page be recalled from the office of Olivet Community Schools Board Member?

Pennfield Schools, Millage Proposal -- Operating Millage Renewal Proposal

This proposal will allow the school district to levy the statutory rate of 18 mills on all property, except principal residence and other property exempted by law, required for the school district to receive its revenue per pupil foundation allowance and renews millage that will expire with the 2012 tax levy. Shall the currently authorized millage rate limitation of 18 mills ($18.00 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation) on the amount of taxes which may be assessed against all property, except principal residence and other property exempted by law, in Pennfield Schools, Calhoun and Barry Counties, Michigan, be renewed for a period of 6 years, 2013 to 2018, inclusive, to provide funds for operating purposes; the estimate of the revenue the school district will collect if the millage is approved and levied in 2013 is approximately $1,059,440 (this is a renewal of millage which will expire with the 2012 tax levy)?

Union City Community Schools, Bldg & Site Sinking Fund -- Millage Renewal Proposal Building and Site Sinking Fund Tax Levy

Shall the currently authorized millage rate of 1 mill ($1.00 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation) which may be assessed against all property in Union City Community Schools, Branch and Calhoun Counties, Michigan, be renewed for a period of 6 years, 2013 to 2018, inclusive, to continue to provide for a sinking fund for the purchase of real estate for sites for, and the construction or repair of school buildings and all other purposes authorized by law; the estimate of the revenue the school district will collect if the millage is approved and levied in 2013 is approximately $130,000 (this is a renewal of millage which will expire with the 2012 tax levy)?

Kellogg Community College, Millage Proposal -- Capital Millage Renewal Proposal

This renewal proposal will permit Kellogg Community College to levy a reduced rate of .75 mill on all taxable real and tangible personal property, which is lower than the current .85 mill that will expire with the 2012 tax levy, allocated for the sole purpose of making major repairs, reconstruction and construction of college facilities. This renewal proposal does not affect the perpetual operational millage previously approved. Shall the charter tax rate limitation previously approved by the electors of Kellogg Community College, Michigan, ($0.85 on each $1,000.00 of taxable valuation for a period of 15 years, 1998 – 2012, inclusive) be renewed at a reduced rate of .75 mill ($0.75 on each $1,000.00 of taxable valuation) for a period of 15 years, 2013 – 2027, inclusive, for the purposes of continued funding for major repairs, reconstruction and construction of College facilities and upgrading technology; the estimate of the revenue the community college district will collect if the millage is approved and levied in the 2013 calendar year is approximately $2,568,402.00?