Arizona Ballot Measures

I will post here what I think about the Arizona Ballot measures. Respond if you do or do not agree.

The two main sources I am using to decide are the pamphlet the AZ Secretary of State publishes and Arizona 2008 ballot measures at ballotpedia.org

See also who I am voting for.

Prop 100 known by its supporters as the Protect Our Homes Act.
My Vote is Yes.

The sponsor's statement describes the measure this way: "this Initiative prohibits the government from charging any new tax on the sale or transfer of real property in Arizona. Currently, there are no real property sales or transfer taxes in Arizona. However, the government could enact a real property sale or transfer tax at any time. This Initiative would prohibit the enactment of any new real property sales or transfer tax by a constitutional amendment."

I agree with the supporting arguments. I am a little wary of putting this in the State Constitution. This is my only reservation at this point.

Prop 101 Medical Choice for Arizona or the Freedom to Choose Act
My Vote is No.

We should allow people to choose to pay their own medical costs. It prevents a mandatory health care system for the state of Arizona (see 101 Q&A). This video gives arguments for. See also yeson101.com.

I am a little wary of the murky language that is argued by the opposition. Perhaps it is not worded well. I am again wary of putting this in the constitution. Sounds like it belongs in the law instead.

How could those who rely on Medicaid and Medicare could lose coverage? The video argument says it will jeopardize AHCCCS, how?

Update: I received some feedback from a Doctor. I have changed my vote to No. I may support something like it but it seems it is too geared towards helping insurance companies than individuals.

The reason I initially was for this was that it allowed individuals to opt out of a AZ State run mandatory health ins system. Our medical cost are more than many other nation's. We also have many more treatments and innovations as a result. I think it is important to make reasonable access to health care to all who want health care.

I generally like the premise of the system Mitt Romney did in Massachusetts. It required everyone who could afford insurance to get it. Like liability insurance for autos. Those who could not afford it, would get assistance to buy their own. It left it up to each family where to get it. It allowed for lower rates because everyone was in it. It also allowed for competition of Ins companies.

I don't want a government run health care system.

Here is the quote from the Doctor:

This is a very politically mediated proposition. This proposition is written and backed by the insurance companies and gives them an advantage. Passing of this will not affect Medicaid.

My concern is that we are further legislating Insurance Companies rights over the rights of the consumer and most of the medical societies initially took a "no" position, however, after they all received subtle threats from the insurance companies attorneys, these societies back pedaled and last week have taken a "neutral" position on this which means that this proposition, vague in its wording, gives leverage to insurance companies many times placing the consumer at further risk.

Vote your conscience.

My vote is "no."

Prop 102 Yes for Marriage
My vote is Yes
"Only a union of one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized as a marriage in this state"

Simple. That is marriage.

Prop 105 known by its supporters as the Majority Rules Initiative.
My vote is No.

Their definition of majority is 50% +1 votes of all registered voters. That means someone who doesn't even vote gets counted as a no. This is not a principle of a democratic republic.

Prop 200 known by its supporters as the Majority Rules Initiative.
My vote is No.

"the real reform comes in July of 2010, when the consumer loan act is reinstated and 36% interest rates become the law of the land again." Video Arguments against 200.

Prop 201 known by its supporters as the Homeowners Bill of Rights.
My vote is No.

201 "will forbid the defendants from recovering any attorney's fees, even if the case was frivolous or if they win". From arguments against. I agree with the others too.

Prop 202 Immigration. Illegal Hiring.
My vote is No.

This seems like a misrepresentation. From what I can see it weakens the illegal hiring laws. I think we should allow more legal immigration. We need to enforce the laws on our books.

Republican officials come out strong against Prop. 202

Prop 300 increase the salary of legislators from $24,000 a year to $30,000 annually
My vote is Yes.
This is not a very big increase. It will allow more people to be able to afford to serve.

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See also who I am voting for.