Tag

Ballot Initiative

All articles tagged with #ballot initiative

politics15 days ago•5 min saved

California wealth tax heads to ballot as Democratic rift widens

A proposed one-time 5% wealth tax on California billionaires’ assets survived qualification for the November ballot, pitting labor-backed advocates led by SEIU-UHW against Gov. Newsom and Silicon Valley billionaires. Supporters say the levy would offset federal spending cuts and protect essential services, while opponents warn it would hurt California’s economy and drive the ultra-wealthy to relocate. The campaign is expected to be extraordinarily expensive and will test Democratic attitudes toward wealth taxes ahead of the 2028 primaries.

via Politico|

#ballot-initiative #california #politics

politics21 days ago•12 min saved

California Billionaire Tax Moves to November Ballot, Sparking Budget Debate

Secretary of State Shirley Weber certified the California Billionaire Tax Act, sending it to the November ballot. The measure would impose a one-time 5% wealth tax on assets such as art, stocks and bonds to raise about $100 billion to backfill federal funding cuts to K-12 education, Medi-Cal, and CalFresh. Critics warn it could worsen the state’s budget gap and drive billionaires to relocate, while supporters say it would address inequality and ensure the wealthy pay their fair share; the debate is underscored by high-profile relocations of billionaires like Zuckerberg and Page/Brin.

via The Center Square|

#ballot-initiative #billionaires #california

politics23 days ago•5 min saved

Californians face ballot on a one-time 5% tax on the ultra-rich

California’s secretary of state certified that a proposed one-time 5% tax on ultrarich assets has qualified for the November ballot, firing up a costly clash over funding for health care and the state budget. Proponents led by SEIU-UHW and backed by Bernie Sanders argue the levy would counter federal spending cuts and prevent hospital closures, while opponents including Google co-founder Sergey Brin warn it could undermine California’s business climate and drain tax revenue. The campaign is expected to be among the most expensive in state history and could shape economic sentiment ahead of the 2028 primaries, with a potential deal to pull or modify the measure still on the negotiating table.

via Politico|

#ballot-initiative #billionaires-tax #california

politics2 months ago•7 min saved

Colorado lawmakers step in to blunt proposed constitutional right to natural gas

Colorado lawmakers are racing to draft a last-minute bill to blunt Initiative 177, a voter-led effort to enshrine a constitutional right to natural gas. Supporters say the measure protects consumers from energy costs, while critics warn it could conflict with climate goals and air-quality regulations and complicate existing oil-and-gas rules as the signatures are gathered for a statewide vote.

via The Colorado Sun|

#ballot-initiative #climate-policy #colorado

politics3 months ago•5 min saved

Masked Cash for Signatures Shakes California Ballot Drive

Masked men in San Francisco’s Tenderloin offered $5 and pizza to sign petitions for California ballot measures, underscoring a money‑driven, high‑stakes signature‑gathering season where some signatures can be worth up to $15. Paying signatories is illegal, and authorities are investigating potential fraud as campaigns funded by major donors race to qualify initiatives for the ballot. Critics warn the tactic preys on vulnerable residents and threatens election integrity, while organizers say signatures will be vetted and invalid entries discarded.

via The New York Times|

#ballot-initiative #california #elections

state-politics4 months ago•4 min saved

Washington OKs 9.9% tax on millionaires to fund schools and services

Democrat-led Washington state Senate approved a 9.9% income tax on residents earning over $1 million to fund education, prisons, universal school lunches and other programs, with Gov. Ferguson expected to sign. Supporters cite budget pressures and public sentiment, while critics warn about potential business impact and legal challenges, including a ballot repeal effort and constitutional questions around how income is treated.

via Politico|

#ballot-initiative #education-funding #income-tax

politics5 months ago•3 min saved

San Francisco hosts March for Billionaires amid wealth-tax push

About a dozen people in San Francisco gathered for a 'March for Billionaires' to highlight California’s proposed 5% one-time wealth tax on billionaires, intended to offset federal cuts to healthcare and food aid. Opponents, including Gov. Newsom, warn the levy could push wealth and jobs out of state, while supporters say it would ensure billionaires pay their fair share. The Billionaire Tax Act excludes pensions, real estate, and retirement accounts and requires about 875,000 signatures to appear on the November ballot. Analysts caution the measure could yield short-term benefits only if wealthy residents relocate.

via latimes.com|

#ballot-initiative #billionaire-tax #california

politics6 months ago•3 min saved

Michigan's Ranked Choice Voting Initiative Halted for 2026

A Michigan group, Rank MI Vote, is pausing its effort to place a ranked choice voting amendment on the 2026 ballot due to a shortfall in signatures but plans to try again for 2028, amid political opposition and legal challenges.

via Bridge Michigan|

#ballot-initiative #elections-reform #michigan

politics1 year ago•1 min saved

Florida Abortion Rights Ballot Initiative Fails to Pass

A Florida ballot initiative to enshrine abortion rights in the state constitution failed to reach the required 60% approval, with 57% of voters supporting it. This marks the first abortion-related ballot initiative to fail since the overturning of Roe v. Wade. Florida currently has a six-week abortion ban with exceptions for rape, incest, and the life of the mother. The initiative's failure contrasts with other states like California and Michigan, where similar measures have passed.

via ABC News|

#abortion #ballot-initiative #florida

politics2 years ago•3 min saved

"Coalition Gathers Enough Signatures for Tough-on-Crime Ballot Measure in California"

A coalition has submitted over 900,000 voter signatures in support of a tough-on-crime ballot initiative in California, aiming to reform Proposition 47 by toughening penalties for retail theft and some drug offenses. The initiative, largely funded by corporate retailers, seeks to address rampant retail theft and fentanyl overdoses, and comes amidst concerns about crime and homelessness in the state. While the large number of signatures indicates financial backing, it does not necessarily reflect widespread voter support, and the initiative's impact remains uncertain as it heads towards potential inclusion on the November ballot.

via Los Angeles Times|

#ballot-initiative #california #crime-reform

politics2 years ago•3 min saved

"Arizona Republicans Strategize Response to Abortion Rights Ballot Measure"

Arizona Republicans are considering introducing their own ballot initiatives to restrict abortion in an effort to counter a potential abortion rights ballot measure this fall. The draft proposal, obtained by CNN, comes after the Arizona Supreme Court revived a 160-year-old near-total abortion ban. The proposal includes measures to restrict abortion to either six weeks or the beginning of the 15th week of pregnancy. Abortion rights groups have criticized the strategy, calling it a political scheme designed to create chaos, while Republicans in competitive races have called for collaboration with the Democratic governor.

via CNN|

#abortion-rights #arizona #ballot-initiative

politics2 years ago•4 min saved

"2024 Ballot to Include Colorado Abortion Access Amendment"

The Coloradans for Protecting Reproductive Freedom coalition has gathered over 225,000 signatures, surpassing the threshold to get a constitutional amendment on the state's 2024 ballot to enshrine abortion access. The proposed amendment aims to secure the right to abortion and prevent the state from restricting access or prohibiting health insurance coverage for abortion. This comes in the wake of the Arizona Supreme Court upholding a law banning nearly all abortions, highlighting the vulnerability of reproductive rights across states. The campaign is confident about its efforts, with a diverse range of supporters, and Colorado may see dueling ballot initiatives on abortion access in 2024. Similar measures are also expected to appear on the ballots in New York, Maryland, and Florida.

via ABC News|

#abortion-access #ballot-initiative #colorado

politics2 years ago•2 min saved

Florida's 2024 Ballot to Include Recreational Weed and Abortion Ban Decision

The Florida Supreme Court has approved the ballot language for a proposed constitutional amendment that would legalize recreational marijuana in the state, allowing adults over 21 to possess and use up to 3 ounces of pot for personal use. The amendment will be on the ballot in November, requiring at least 60% of the vote to become law. Despite opposition from the state's Attorney General and Governor, the court ruled that the language was not misleading. If approved, the amendment would go into effect six months after the election, allowing for the purchase of marijuana products from licensed distributors and potentially opening the door for other entities to enter the market.

via Tampa Bay Times|

#ballot-initiative #florida #marijuana

politics2 years ago•2 min saved

Florida Supreme Court Upholds Abortion Ban and Clears Path for Ballot Initiative

The Florida Supreme Court has ruled to allow a proposed ballot measure, Amendment 4, which would limit government intervention in abortion procedures, to appear on the November ballot, while also upholding Florida's 15-week abortion ban. The court's decision paves the way for the six-week "heartbeat" ban signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis to go into effect, making Florida less permissive than neighboring states. Planned Parenthood's challenge to the law based on Florida's privacy protections was rejected by the court. Amendment 4, introduced by Floridians Protecting Freedoms, seeks to allow abortions before viability while still requiring parental notification for minors. If passed with 60% support, it will supersede the six-week ban.

via CBS News|

#15-week-abortion-ban #abortion #ballot-initiative

businessreal-estate2 years ago•4 min saved

"Challenges Arise for Billionaire-Backed Campaign to Build New California City"

A billionaire-backed plan to build an eco-friendly city in California is facing delays and criticism as it seeks to put its proposal before voters in November. The proposal, which envisions a community for up to 400,000 residents, has been amended twice to address concerns from local officials and a neighboring U.S. Air Force base. Critics argue that the campaign has operated in secrecy and lacks local input, while opponents question the sustainability and impact of building on rural land. The campaign, supported by Silicon Valley entrepreneurs, faces a tight timeline to collect the necessary signatures for the ballot, with the outcome carrying national implications for development, farmland, and climate resilience.

via The Associated Press|

#ballot-initiative #businessreal-estate #california