taxes

After a vote in the Miami-Dade Commission that would have put a half-cent transportation surtax to a vote of the people failed, one commissioner said he plans to run a petition drive to put the measure on the ballot through the initiative process. Signatures of 4% of the county’s registered voters, about 48,000, would be needed to put the matter on the ballot.

Read the story from Miami Today

The California Green Party has come out against all six measures on the May 19 ballot. The party came to the decision after polling its members.

Read the story from the Oakland Tribune

A ballot initiative aimed at blocking city ownership of a proposed $500 million hotel narrowly failed Saturday. Another measure that would have forced a vote on decisions to give over $1million in taxpayer money to private developers failed as well.

Read the story from the Dallas Morning News

It’s time for a detour after Miami-Dade commissioners Tuesday blocked one route to giving voters a shot at repealing the local half-percent transit surtax, Commissioner Carlos Gimenez says.

He plans a “two-pronged attack”: pushing measures to return to what he says voters were promised in approving the surtax, and seeking funding to launch a petition drive to get a repeal on the ballot.

A state Senator has launched a petition drive to restore a program that sends tax rebate checks to homeowners to offset property tax increases. The drive to re-establish the STAR program will use online signature collecting and social media networking on sites such as Facebook.

Read the story from the Evening Observer

The Indian River School District will host a current expense referendum on Thursday, June 11, for the purpose of providing salary increases for teachers and all other employees . If approved, the measure will raise the local portion of district salaries by 6 percent for Fiscal Year 2009 (retroactive) and by an additional 6 percent for FY2010 by an increaseing property taxes.

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With the economy in a downward spiral, it may seem like poor timing to ask taxpayers for money to repair aging school buildings, expand suburban libraries and build parks.

But more than a dozen communities in Metro Detroit are doing just that Tuesday when they hold elections asking voters to approve millions in school bonds and higher municipal tax rates for projects.

Read more at Detroit News

Voters in Provincetown will be voting on both a permanent and temporary tax increase in the May 5th town elections. Under Massachusetts law, local governments are prevented from raising their tax rates by more than two and one-half percent.

Read the story from the Cape Cod Times

A House appropriations committee gave its approval to a ballot measure that will raise the sales tax by about $486 million. Most of the funds generated will go to health care services with the rest going to tax credits. The bill must now go to the House floor for a vote. If passed by the legislature the measure would also have to be approved by voters.

Read the story from the Seattle Times

Today, Citizens in Charge Foundation released a new video entitiled “A History Lesson from a Four Year Old.”

A four year old takes time to give grown-ups an American history lesson. Watch him explain the Declaration of Independence, the Boston Tea Party and the rights of American citizens. He also explains how the ballot initiative process can help citizens take charge of government!.

A History Lesson From A 4 Yr. Old

Tue, Apr 14 by Anonymous

A four year old takes time out of his busy schedule to give grown-ups an American history lesson. Watch him explain the Declaration of Independence, the Boston Tea Party and the rights of American citizens.

Even he understands citizens should be in charge! Take some time out of your schedule to find out how ballot initiatives can work for you at www.CitizensInCharge.org

House Speaker Andy Dillon indicated that he would like to see any constitutional amendments to change the state’s tax system to go on this November’s ballot. Proposals include moving from a flat to a graduated income tax and changing the state’s 22% business tax structure. A graduated income tax is supported by Gov. Jennifer Granholm.

Read the story from the Detroit Free Press

California lawmakers are warning that the state’s budget deficit could exceed $15billion if several budget related ballot measures fail at an upcoming special election. Six measures that include tax increases and spending cuts are going before voters in a May 19 special election.

Read the story from California Healthline

Illinois Voters Head to Polls

Mon, Apr 6 2009 — Source: Chicago Tribune

Illinois voters will head to the polls Tuesday to vote on a variety of issues. Advisory referendums dealing with issues ranging from tax measures to highway construction to secession from counties will be up for a vote.

Read the story from the Chicago Tribune

A union representing 5,000 state workers is endorsing Prop 1A while its international counterpart is opposed to the measure. Prop 1A would impose both a tax increase and a spending limit. Polls indicate that the proposition and related budget measures being pushed by Governor Arnold Swarzenegger are not popular with voters.

Read the story from the Sacramento Bee