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

Proposal Text

Proposal 12-1 -- Manager Law

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?

Proposal 12-2 -- Collective Bargaining

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?

Proposal 12-3 -- Energy

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?

Proposal 12-4 -- Home Care

PROPOSAL 12-4 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?

Proposal 12-5 -- New Taxes

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?

Proposal 12-6 -- Bridges

PROPOSAL 12-6 A PROPOSAL TO AMEND THE STATE CONSTITUTION REGARDING CONSTRUCTION OF INTERNATIONAL BRIDGES AND 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?

Columbia Township -- Road Millage

COLUMBIA TOWNSHIP ROAD MILLAGE PROPOSAL Shall the previously expired voted increase in the tax limitation imposed under Article IX, Section 6, of the Michigan Constitution in Columbia Township, of 3 mills ($3 per $1,000 of taxable value on real property), reduced to 2.8608 mills by the required millage rollbacks, be increased to and renewed at the original voted 3 mills ($3 per $1,000 of taxable value on real property) and levied on real property for a period of four years, 2012 through 2015 inclusive, for the purpose of road maintenance, improvements, repair and construction? It is estimated the revenue collected by Columbia Township as a result of this proposal will be $244,256 in the first year the millage is levied based on the most recent taxable value.

Coloma Schools -- Operating Millage Renewal

COLOMA COMMUNITY SCHOOLS 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 Coloma Community Schools, Berrien and Van Buren Counties, Michigan, be renewed for a period of 2 years, 2013 and 2014, 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 $2,773,400 (this is a renewal of millage which will expire with the 2012 tax levy)?