In The News 
Senate Votes to Register Paid Signature Gatherers
In an effort to address ballot fraud, the Maine Senate voted yes on Monday for legislation (LD 1730) that would require signature gatherers to register with the state and undergo more scrutiny if they are circulating petitions to put a citizen referendum on the ballot. The House of Representatives will take up the legislation next, then it will return to the Senate for a second vote.
Ballot measure on eased class size clears Senate
A November ballot proposal that would loosen Florida's class size limits has received approval from the state Senate. The 26-12 vote today — just two more than required for a state constitutional amendment — sends the measure (SB 2) to the House. If it passes there as expected it would go on the ballot.
Proposed initiative would let utility customers opt out of renewables
A proposed ballot measure would let utility customers vote on whether to opt out of getting their power from wind, solar or other renewable sources. Supporters of the measure said renewable sources are costly and that customers should have the right to choose less expensive forms of energy.
Senate Votes to Register Paid Signature Gatherers
In an effort to address ballot fraud, the Maine Senate voted yes on Monday for legislation (LD 1730) that would require signature gatherers to register with the state and undergo more scrutiny if they are circulating petitions to put a citizen referendum on the ballot.
Proposed initiative would let utility customers opt out of renewables
A proposed ballot measure would let utility customers vote on whether to opt out of getting their power from wind, solar or other renewable sources. Supporters of the measure said renewable sources are costly and that customers should have the right to choose less expensive forms of energy.
Group wants to free education from limits of TABOR
Should the legislature be allowed to raise taxes without a vote of the people if the money goes to help education? A coalition of education advocates and Democratic lawmakers thinks so.
Health care amendment flatlines
An effort to revive a constitutional health care amendment flatlined Wednesday morning in the Kansas House. When the constitutional amendment (HCR 5032) appeared headed for defeat on Tuesday, Rep. Virgil Peck, R-Tyro, cast a no vote — a procedural maneuver that allowed him to revive the issue targeting the federal health care reform legislation.
Oil companies funding ballot initiative to delay enforcement of AB 32
Voters may soon have an opportunity to decide whether to suspend enforcement of California's clean energy law until the state's economy recovers. Passed in 2006, Assembly Bill 32 directs the California Air Resources Board to design and enforce regulations that will reduce emissions and curb global warming.
Oil companies funding ballot initiative to delay enforcement of AB 32
Voters may soon have an opportunity to decide whether to suspend enforcement of California's clean energy law until the state's economy recovers. Passed in 2006, Assembly Bill 32 directs the California Air Resources Board to design and enforce regulations that will reduce emissions and curb global warming. If passed by voters in November, the California Jobs Initiative would suspend AB 32 until the state's unemployment rate drops below 5.5 percent for four consecutive quarters.
Missouri Senate to consider challenge to federal health care mandate
There's a renewed interest in the Missouri Senate to put a constitutional amendment before voters in November to counter a new federal mandate requiring every Missourian carry health insurance. The federal bill, passed Sunday night by a narrow 219-212 majority in the U.S. House, would require almost every citizen to purchase insurance by 2014 or pay a fine.
