In The News 
Slim Majority of California Voters Would Uphold Gay Marriage, Poll Finds
The Field Poll of 672 likely voters found that 51% oppose Proposition 8, which would amend the state Constitution to define marriage as only between a man and woman.
Time to Talk Taxes
State Sen. Mike Haridopolos announced plans Tuesday to step up his opposition to November's Amendment 5 with 10 public forums to debate the proposed property tax changes.
Town Weighs in on Income Tax Repeal Initiative
On Monday, Lexington's Board of Selectmen voted 3-1 to formally oppose the repeal of the state income tax, passing a motion that states: "Such a step would severely impact our ability to deliver municipal services and quality public education."
Voters: Be Wary of Payday Issue
Ohioans may have thought the payday lending issue was settled in May. That's when the General Assembly passed a strong reform bill that would, among other things, limit the interest on short-term loans to 28 percent annualized, compared with the prevalent industry charge of up to 391 APR. But if the payday loan industry has its way, the reform could be undone this fall by voter approval of a ballot issue to repeal a key portion of the new law.
Colorado Voters Will Be Asked When ‘Personhood’ Begins
Critics say the aim is not just to outlaw abortion in Colorado but ultimately to overturn Roe v. Wade by igniting a court battle that would bring the issue to the U.S. Supreme Court, where, proponents of the measure hope, a conservative majority would strike down the 1973 decision that legalized abortion nationwide.
Billingual Debate
The debate about whether public school students should be taught in English or their native language has come to Oregon. In November, voters in the state will be asked to decide on an initiative that would limit the amount of time English-language learners can be taught in their native tongue.
Arizona: Bee, Kolbe Part Ways, Won’t Say Why
Jim Kolbe will no longer play a role in the campaign of Tim Bee who is running for Kolbe's former seat in the U.S. House. An initiative on the November ballot to change the state constitution to ban gay marriage may or may not play a role in all of this.
State Superintendent Castillo Opposes Language Measure
State schools superintendent Susan Castillo told Hispanic leaders Wednesday that she's against a ballot measure that limits to one or two years the time students can be taught in a language other than English.
Colorado Union Fight Ramps Up With the Delivery of Petition Signatures
The debate about unions in Colorado was ratcheted another notch with this week's filing of petition signatures for a second anti-union measure for the November ballot.
Clean Government Proposal Could Hinder School Lobbying Efforts
Some provisions in a ballot initiative aimed at stopping tax dollars from being used by lobbyists have local officials concerned about access to state legislators. Initiated measure 10, which will appear on the Nov. 4 ballot, bans the use of tax dollars for lobbying or campaigning.
