OCR Text |
Show The Salt Lake Tribune NATION Sunday, November1, iS 2S 2 A26 Some 235 Ballot Measures Face Nation’s Voters Tuesday BY DAVID JUDSON GANNETT NEWS SERVICE WASHINGTON — While voters decide Tuesday whowill be making their laws in Congress, statehouses and governors’ man- sions,in 41 states and the District of Columbia they also will be making laws themselves. Thereare at least 235 exercises in direct democracyon state ballots this year, including bans on cockfighting; giving certain sick people the right to smoke marijuana to relieve their pain;. permitting assisted suicide; and expandingthe rights of gays. “There is always a lot to watch and lot of groupswill be looking at theinitiatives and referenda to determine strategy in 1999 and 2000,” said Dane Waters, president of the nonpartisan Initiatives and Referendums Institute in watched issue will be proposed Washington, which monitorsballot measures. In all, 24 states, primarily in the West, allowcitizens to place is- bans on gay marriage in Hawaii and Alaska, seen as a potential barometerof tolerance and a guide sues directly before voters bycir- to where the nation’s mood is headed on the broaderissues of where, the state legislature must put measures ontheballot.Of this homosexual rights. Those two initiatives were launched by conservative groups year's statewide measures, 60 were put there bycitizens and the gious organizations, including the culation of petition drives. Else- remainder are the product of state legislatures seeking voter ratification of their work, said Jennifer Drage, a researcher for the National ConferenceofState Legislatures. Waters noted that this is the 100th anniversary of the citizen process: South Dakota was the first to approvethecitizen refer- endum, in 1898; Oregon was the first to useit, in 1904 Perhaps the most closely and are heavily financed by reli- The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. That may be a partial exception to the rule this year, though. While partisans of all huesrely from time to time on the initiative process, this year it is shaping up to be a tool of Demo- crats and liberals, said Waters. For example, while Washington. state voters will consider a con- servative-proposed ban on theis- sueof affirmative action and Coloradoans decide whether to halt so-called partial-birth abortions, manyissuesdirectly before voters derive from liberal activism. That is in part because a majority of state legislatures are controlled by conservatives, leaving liberals to push their issues di- rectly, said Waters. Among the products of liberal grass-roots initiative, use of marijuana as a palliative by those suffering from disease will be on fourstate ballots. A high-profile issue two years ago when voters endorsed the notion in California and Arizona, the topic is now on ballots in Oregon, Nevada and Alaska. Also, Arizonans will revis- measure of growing animal-rights consciousness, Alaska voters will sisted suicide will be before voters. The lawyer for notorious trapping wolves with snares; and death doctor Jack Kevorkian is a heavy underdog as the Democratic nominee for governorof Michi- be asked to consider a ban on Arizona and Missouri voters will weigh bans on cockfighting. Cali- an. fornia voters will consider bar- : Voters in Colorado and South ring the trapping of fur-bearing animals and human consumption Dakota are being asked to consider measures that would curtail expasion of large corporate hog hunting mourning doves. Manyballot measures deal with strictly local — and often nonpar- bama, where voters are asked to prohibit the “purdening® orsale of horse meat. In addition, Ohio voters will consider a ban on tisan — taxation issues such as measures to finance schools in Colorado, high-tech research in Maineandcotton researchin Alabama. In Michigan, the complex and emotional issue of physician-as- "Religion is i on the ballot in Ala- of the free exercise of religion. Interracial marriage even is on the ballot in South Caroiina, where a housecleaning item would square the wording of the state Constitution with prevailing law. it the topic, perhaps reversing their decision of 1996. Animal-rights activists are newly discovering the ballot measure as a means to take political action. In issues closely watched as a UNDETECTABLE HEARINGAID... Something so tiny, but so Audible! Don't be fooled by “free” AN | Let BaciTrattoria and Cafe Pierpont put Le into your business and personalholiday parties. * Groupsof 12-120... and more! * et MajorBrand 1! “MwMajorBrand dt “In-the-Ear" || CALL TODAY FOR RESERVATIONS AND INFORMATION fee) y TOATTORTA ‘sureigoid jusuryee1} pue uotyueAedd our Lid pooueryus sey ous e ‘S[ITY}00J Ino syoojoid yey) UOTLISIBa] pojuowo|dur sey os » “Uu0r yeeL0ed pue adeds uado 1o0j pury 2 asai Aq pur ‘Ajayes peseaiout ‘Suruue, 1d pooysoqysiou ysnomy sexy Tun WIUIOD INO paaoidult sey oY » ‘sosvalOUl xeq [Te posoddo Ajaarjov sey oYs « ‘reak Alana Jospnq AyuNOD oy} psoueyeq sey OUS e ‘sgof puy siofuag sdjey ureigo1g yuowAojdurg JoTUaG Jaf ° 528-1500 _ roe °CD femal & e ~~ This offer is so good, we’ll do whatever it takes to get your attention. should brighten your equity at other competitive rates and consolidate financial picture. When you apply November 2 even more of your bills. There are no application through November 7, you'll be eligible of up toten years. So if you decide to — 7.49%apr Up to 10-year loans borrow $20,000, for example, you'll an instant credit decision when you apply in person or over the phone. But hurry, after one week we’re pay just $236 per month. Need more buying power? flipping the switch. To apply, stop by any U.S. Bank, Nowyoucan borrow up to 125% of your home’s call 1-800-285-7575 or visit us at usbank.com. (Sbank. Your needs. Ourtools” Sh SiS fn me Sake) 7 mh - 800 bin POTFoshe 7 AP customer must apply November at Moly Fic 00a.m —10.00 pm and Saturiay 00am -500 pon CST 2 trough Noverbar and open the account 31 Minimum lan amount (or increase)of $10,000. 7.47% APR fo loans up o 80%Loar-o-Value.H TV is greater than 0% uy 10 100%, rate is 8.40% APA. LTVpeia18ana AP Ne cos cos! cer avalite to checking Howe aU Bark Eu Loar mene870080 Pe cryneroupe ‘losing costs may range from Loans ae ood BroughU National Association ND. Consutt your interest. Maximum U.S. Bank home equity ‘amounts depend on home value and total loans ty are. haere on rune mounts cweany 100% of etysnotx Gade, aime ow pyrrt wariOn $20.00 omar loan (120 Ae é ty pay’ 7 - ty pay e interest may be tax deductible. Receive November2 - 7 Offer is y AJUOTSSTEUTILO” One Week Only installment loan with repayment terms ‘Vel a for our 7.49% APR on a fixed-rate fees, points or closing costs, and your “weBeTTR AreW 19I-9y 04 BoryTUTULOD ay Aq 40} Pred This offer from U.S. Bank = 3 3 F E = al ao a — = as — ae a |