DesertShark
20th April 2009, 20:21
I recently found out that there will be an important vote in Michigan this year, one that could create an entirely new state constitution. From the Michigan Chamber of Commerce (http://www.michamber.com/mx/hm.asp?id=concon):
On November 2, 2010, as Michigan voters go to the polls to elect a new Governor, Secretary of State and Attorney General, as well as the entire State Legislature, the electorate will also be asked to decide whether to call a new constitutional convention for the State of Michigan. The ballot proposal will be on the statewide ballot not by the action of the current Legislature or as a result of any petition drive; rather the state’s constitution requires that this question be placed before state voters every 16 years.
Since this proposal automatically goes on the ballot, the constitutional convention question (Con-Con) will be Proposal 10-1 on the November 2, 2010 ballot.
(...)
If voters approve the call for a new constitutional convention in 2010, delegates would be elected within six months. The elections would be partisan, requiring a primary election and a general election to be held no later than May 3, 2011. One-hundred-forty-eight delegates would be elected, one each from every State House and Senate district. These 148 delegates would convene in Lansing not later than October 4, 2011. The convention could be expected to last at least until July 2012. Constitutional conventions in Michigan are unlimited in scope – they can propose a completely new constitution or offer specific amendments. Any proposed constitution or amendment approved by a majority of the delegates must be submitted to the voters not less than 90 days following the adjournment of the convention.
If voters approve Proposal 10-1 on the November 2, 2010 statewide ballot, issues may include:
State legislative and congressional district reapportionment – how to do it.
Direct gubernatorial appointment of all department directors eliminating commission or board appointment of directors of DNR, Agriculture, Education, Civil Rights and Civil Service.
An elected or an appointed judiciary.
Election or appointment of the University of Michigan, Michigan State University, and Wayne State University Governing Boards.
Abortion rights.
Term limits/Unicameral Legislature.
Repeal of the State Officers Compensation Commission.
Removal of the prohibition on the death penalty.
Revisit the cap on the sales tax and the prohibition of a graduated income tax.
Headlee tax limits and prohibition on new state mandates without state funding.
Eliminate the elected posts of Secretary of State and Attorney General and provide for direct gubernatorial appointment.
Public school district consolidation.
Elimination of township government.
Restore affirmative action programs by state government and public universities.
Remove ban on same sex marriage.
Permit a physician-assisted suicide.
Provide for drug legalization.
Remove the prohibition on public aid to non public education.
School funding and equity.
On November 2, 2010, as Michigan voters go to the polls to elect a new Governor, Secretary of State and Attorney General, as well as the entire State Legislature, the electorate will also be asked to decide whether to call a new constitutional convention for the State of Michigan. The ballot proposal will be on the statewide ballot not by the action of the current Legislature or as a result of any petition drive; rather the state’s constitution requires that this question be placed before state voters every 16 years.
Since this proposal automatically goes on the ballot, the constitutional convention question (Con-Con) will be Proposal 10-1 on the November 2, 2010 ballot.
(...)
If voters approve the call for a new constitutional convention in 2010, delegates would be elected within six months. The elections would be partisan, requiring a primary election and a general election to be held no later than May 3, 2011. One-hundred-forty-eight delegates would be elected, one each from every State House and Senate district. These 148 delegates would convene in Lansing not later than October 4, 2011. The convention could be expected to last at least until July 2012. Constitutional conventions in Michigan are unlimited in scope – they can propose a completely new constitution or offer specific amendments. Any proposed constitution or amendment approved by a majority of the delegates must be submitted to the voters not less than 90 days following the adjournment of the convention.
If voters approve Proposal 10-1 on the November 2, 2010 statewide ballot, issues may include:
State legislative and congressional district reapportionment – how to do it.
Direct gubernatorial appointment of all department directors eliminating commission or board appointment of directors of DNR, Agriculture, Education, Civil Rights and Civil Service.
An elected or an appointed judiciary.
Election or appointment of the University of Michigan, Michigan State University, and Wayne State University Governing Boards.
Abortion rights.
Term limits/Unicameral Legislature.
Repeal of the State Officers Compensation Commission.
Removal of the prohibition on the death penalty.
Revisit the cap on the sales tax and the prohibition of a graduated income tax.
Headlee tax limits and prohibition on new state mandates without state funding.
Eliminate the elected posts of Secretary of State and Attorney General and provide for direct gubernatorial appointment.
Public school district consolidation.
Elimination of township government.
Restore affirmative action programs by state government and public universities.
Remove ban on same sex marriage.
Permit a physician-assisted suicide.
Provide for drug legalization.
Remove the prohibition on public aid to non public education.
School funding and equity.