Table: Ballot Measures

Tax reform and school spending are among the most common themes of state ballot measures that will go before voters Nov. 2.

ALABAMA

Amendment 2
Would eliminate language in state constitution that requires “separate schools … for white and colored children.” Would also strike clause that says “no child of either race shall be permitted to attend a school of the other race.”

ARKANSAS

Referred Question
1 Referred by legislature, measure would increase property-tax rate by 3 mills—or 3 cents for every $100 in assessed value—to pay for public schools.

CALIFORNIA

Proposition 1A
Seeks to allow local property and sales taxes to remain under the control of local governments, and would generally prevent state from shifting to schools or community colleges state tax revenues allocated to local governments. Proposition could be suspended if governor declared a fiscal emergency and two-thirds of legislature agreed.

COLORADO

Amendment 35
Would increase cigarette tax to 84 cents a pack—a 64-cent increase—and raise tax on other tobacco products to 40 percent of purchase price, double the current rate. Sixteen percent of resulting revenue would be spent on education about harms of tobacco and on programs to help smokers quit.

FLORIDA

Amendment 1
Would authorize legislature to pass law requiring parental notification when a teenager seeks an abortion.

INDIANA

Question 1
Legislature is asking voters for power to exempt certain property from taxes, including a person’s primary residence, and personal property used to generate income.

LOUISIANA

Amendment No. 2
Would expand existing property-tax exemptions on primary residences.

MAINE

Question 1
Citizen-initiated measure would cap property taxes at 1 percent of assessed value and roll back property values to 1996-97 levels.

MISSOURI

Amendment 3
Would require that revenue from motor-vehicle sales taxes and fuel taxes be spent on local highways, roads, and bridges. Some of that revenue now helps pay for schools.

NEVADA

Question 1
“Education First” ballot question, if passed, would force legislature to allocate money to schools before deciding how much to spend on other state projects.

Question 2
Would amend state constitution to require that Nevada finance schools at or above average national per-pupil expenditure, starting in 2012-13 school year.

NEW MEXICO

Amendment 5
Would change name of New Mexico School for the Visually Handicapped to New Mexico School for the Blind and Visually Handicapped.

NORTH CAROLINA

Amendment 2
Would amend state constitution to allow legislature to tap money from fines and civil penalties to help pay for public schools.

OKLAHOMA

Questions 705 and 706
Would create state lottery and dedicate the proceeds to education.

Question 712
Would enact new Model Tribal Gaming Compact that changes the types of gaming allowed on tribal land and directs portions of the proceeds to education.

SOUTH DAKOTA

Amendment B
Would amend state constitution to permit state to pay for food and transportation for students who attend religious schools.

Measure 1
Would exempt food purchases from state and local sales taxes.

WASHINGTON

Referendum 55
Citizen-initiated measure would repeal state’s charter school law, which was passed by the legislature in March.

Initiative 884
Would raise state sales tax to 7.5 percent— 1 percentage point higher than current level. Estimated $1 billion in new revenue would finance preschool, K-12 programs, higher education scholarships and research, and increases in teacher salaries.

SOURCE: Education Week