The Voice - Student Newspaper

Propositions on the AZ ballot

By Eric Carroll
Advertising Manager, The VOICE

On November 4th 2008 the citizens of Arizona have the power to have their voices heard; from whom they want for President of the United States of America to whom they want as Sheriff of Maricopa County.

Also on the ballot are eight propositions, for those of you who aren't familiar with propositions allow me to give a brief look at them courtesy of the Secertary of State.

Here are the propositions for you, the people, to look over.

Proposition 100 would amend the Arizona Constitution to prohibit the state or any county, city, town or other political subdivision of the state from directly or indirectly imposing any new tax, fee or other assessment on the sale, purchase, transfer or other conveyance of any interest in real property (such as homes and other real estate). This proposed measure would not affect any tax, fee or other assessment in existence prior to this year.

Proposition 101 would amend the Arizona Constitution to provide that no law shall:

Restrict a person's freedom to choose a private health care plan or system of their choice. Interfere with a person's or entity's right to pay directly for lawful medical services. Impose a penalty or fine, of any type, for choosing to obtain or decline health care coverage. Impose a penalty or fine, of any type, for participation in any particular health care system or plan.

Proposition 102 would amend the Arizona Constitution to provide that only a union of one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized as a marriage in this state.

Proposition 105 would amend the Arizona Constitution to provide that an initiative measure that establishes, imposes or raises a tax, a fee or other revenue or mandates a spending obligation on a private person, a labor organization, other private legal entity or this state shall not become law unless the initiative measure is approved at the election by a majority of qualified electors registered to vote in the state.

Currently, state law regulates companies that provide deferred presentment services. Deferred presentment is a service where a company makes a loan to a customer, accepts the customer's check in return and agrees to hold the check for at least five days before presenting the check for payment or deposit. These services are more commonly known as "payday loans".

The deferred presentment licensing program in the current law is set to terminate on July 1, 2010. Proposition 200 would continue to allow deferred presentment services indefinitely because it would repeal the program's termination date.

A company or individual providing deferred presentment services is licensed by this state to provide those services and is referred to as a "licensee".

Proposition 200 would expand the scope of deferred presentment services to include electronic debit agreements and would further make the following changes to the regulation of companies that provide deferred presentment services:

Current law provides an alternative process for purchasers and contractors or sellers to resolve issues related to the design, construction, condition or sale of a dwelling prior to filing a lawsuit.

Proposition 201 makes mandatory changes to the legal procedures for any purchaser dwelling action and for the time to sue on any improvements for real property.

Proposition 202 makes various changes to the state laws prohibiting an employer from intentionally or knowingly employing an alien who is not authorized under federal law to work in the United States. Under Proposition 202, the definition of "knowingly employ an unauthorized alien" would be amended to require actual knowledge by an owner or officer of the employer.

Proposition 202 would provide that a state, county or local official, in attempting to verify with the federal government if a person is authorized to work in the United States, shall rely solely upon the processes and procedures set forth in federal law. Additionally it allows the court to take judicial notice of the federal government's determination of legal work eligibility and provides the court may request the federal government to provide automated or testimonial verification pursuant to federal law.

Proposition 202 allows any person to file a written and signed complaint with the attorney general or county attorney that an employer in this state was either intentionally or knowingly employing an unauthorized alien in this state.

If a person files a false or frivolous complaint, the person would be guilty of a class 3 misdemeanor. If the complaint is found to be valid, the appropriate federal and local officials would be notified by the attorney general or the county attorney.

The county attorney would be authorized to bring an action against an employer only for violations that occur beginning January 1, 2009.

Proposition 300 Recommendation of the commission on salaries for elective state officers as to legislative salaries has been certified to the Secretary of State and is hereby submitted to the qualified electors for their approval or rejection.