An Election Cheat Sheet – Propositions. 
Print it out, and mark your choices here – take it to the polls, and you don’t have to spend as much time deciding there.
 
 
Proposition 100 – Real Estate Sales Tax
 
A Yes vote changes the state constitution to prohibit charging sales tax on the purchase of a house or land.
A No vote leaves the constitution alone, and allows politicians to charge a sales tax on house or land any time they want.
 
     Realtors like Prop 100, Taxpayers like it, Local School boards hate it (They would get part of the money),  Politicians hate it.
 
Proposition 101 – Health Care
 
A Yes vote prohibits laws that restrict choice of private health care systems or private plans.
A No vote keeps things the way they are.
 
     This one is real muddy.  Apparently some insurance companies are proposing the adoption of a standard health care system in the state and nationally – tying in with proposals on National Health Care.  If any of you have better information – I’d love to hear it, and I’ll pass it on.
 
Proposition 102 – Same Sex Marriage
 
A Yes Vote changes the Arizona Constitution to define marriage as ONLY One man & One woman.
A No vote leaves the Arizona Constitution the way it is.  Current law prohibits same sex marriage – but it’s not in the constitution.
 
Proposition 105 – Registered Voters decide Tax Increases
 
A Yes Vote says that on any kind of Tax Hike, or increase in any fees MUST be passed by a majority of all Registered Voters – even if they don’t vote.
A No vote says that a majority of people who actually go to the polls and vote will count.
 
    This is a cute little game.  City, County, and States hide increases in taxes and fees in hopes that a low turnout will let unpopular increases pass.  Local/State government CAN’T let this one pass.  They will fight it, drag it through the courts, and -if all else fails- put a really twisted up bill next election that negates this one.  But still, it’s cute and makes sense.
 
Proposition 200 – A REALLY, REally Dishonest Payday Loan Bill
 
A Yes Vote prevents the controls already passed by the Legislature to regulate the “Payday Loan” industry from taking effect in 2010.  It allows the industry to continue charging 400% on the people foolish enough to use the services.
A No Vote allows the legislation that has already passed to take effect in 2010 – and LIMITS interest rates to 36% – Regulates the Industry.
 
Don’t get suckered into letting the Payday Loan industry to continue cheating our citizens.  This is a definite NO Vote!  The Arizona Attorney General calls this the most dishonest bill he has ever seen.
 
Proposition 201 – Sue Contractors & Homebuilders
 
A Yes Vote makes it much easier for a homeowner to sue contractors & homebuilders – and eliminates arbitration and easier ways to settle problems.
A No Vote leave the laws the way they are.
 
This law is VERY complicated, will increase lawsuits, and appears to support a strongly Unionized Construction Industry.  I have many friends who have had major problems with Contractors, and were not able to get satisfaction.  But this may be overkill.  If you have more knowledge on this one – share it with me, and I’ll pass it on.
 
  
Proposition 300 – Give the Legislators a Raise
 
A Yes Vote raises their salary to $30,000 a year.
A No Vote keeps their salary at $24,000 a year.
 
Originally, the job of Arizona Legislator was a “part time” job – about 6 months a year.  Salary was low.  Now, it’s considered “full-time”, although most of them have other jobs or are self employed.  Everyone has mixed feelings about it – but $30,000 isn’t huge as far as “professional” careers are concerned.  And we don’t exactly want to have them fishing for “supplemental income” among the lobbyists….