Local politics timeFollow

Florida seems pretty contentious. Gubernatorially, we have the incumbent, Rick Scott, against the previous governor, Charlie Crist, who switched from a Republican ticket to the Democrats. Latest polls have them exactly tied up. We also have three amendments; a conservation effort (I think this will pass); legalized medical marijuana (I hope this will pass), and expanding the governor's power to allow him to fill vacancies by appointment (I don't want this to pass, and don't think it will).

We Massholes have 4:

Question 1 Gas taxes Repeals 2013 law that automatically increases gas taxes according to inflation

I'll vote no.

Question 2 Environment Expands the state’s beverage container recycling law to include all non-alcoholic containers

I shall vote yes.

Question 3 Gambling Repeals a 2011 law allowing resort casinos

I shall vote Yes. **** the commute to Foxwoods & Mohegan Sun! Its way easier to just fly to Vegas...

Question 4 Labor Entitles certain employees to earn and utilize paid sick days

I'll vote yes.

We have 4. Ballot questions here are basically the equivalent of submitting a bill to the legislature, there's still a vote in both houses and they need to be signed by the Governor (or veto-overidden or whatever). I assume it's because we aren't a state full of morons who think "direct democracy" makes much sense. They generally pass the legislature in similar form if they are approved by voters.

 
Question 1 	Gas taxes 	Repeals 2013 law that automatically increases gas taxes according to inflation 
Question 2 	Environment 	Expands the state’s beverage container recycling law to include all non-alcoholic containers 
Question 3 	Gambling    	Repeals a 2011 law allowing resort casinos 
Question 4 	Labor        	Entitles certain employees to earn and utilize paid sick days  

I'll vote no, yes, no, and yes.

Polling indicates most other people will as well.

Apparently we have quite a few, I wasn't even paying attention. The only thing I've seen is stuff about the governor's race, which I believe has about a 10 point spread at the moment. My knee-jerk reaction at the moment:

Measure 86: Amends Oregon Constitution to create fund for Oregonians pursuing post-secondary education; authorizes debt to finance
-I don't know yet. I might have to find look-up how effective these things have been in other states first.

Measure 87: Allows judges to be hired by the National Guard and public universities; allows school employees to serve in the legislature
-I'm assuming this was designed to keep teachers from indoctrinating their students or something. I don't really care either way honestly, but may vote yes in the hopes in the hope it'll make future elections more interesting.

Measure 88: Upholds four-year driver licenses for those who cannot prove legal presence in the United States
-I wish we all had a 4 year system sometimes. Probably uphold because I'm not aware of a pressing reason to change. Unless someone really guilts me with some kind of equality thing, then I'll flip-flop.

Measure 89: Guarantees equal rights regardless of sex
-Yes. Harmless and fairly pointless yes vote.

Measure 90: Creates an open, top-two primary election system
-Yeah sure. Why not spice things up a little and move the cheese on people? I'm under no delusion this will make things any different.

Measure 91: Legalizes recreational marijuana; tasks Oregon Liquor Control Commission with regulation of its sale
-Yes. I only voted no last time because I didn't want the state dealing with the legal hassles. Since the federal government doesn't seem willing to challenge this kind of thing my objection is gone.

Measure 92: Mandates labeling of certain foodstuffs that contain genetically modified organisms
-No. I really don't see the point of the label.

Edited, Oct 1st 2014 2:20pm by someproteinguy

Why you gotta hate bears?

Like drones?

Well this initiative is only attempting to outlaw baiting, trapping and dogs from bear hunts. I see though that Alaska has banned the use of drone-assisted hunting. Bet that wasn't Sarah's idea.

I think there is a proposal to authorize the use of $2b in state bonds to upgrade the school's technology 'round here.

That assumes there are good, decent people in politics.

Shenna Bellows is the picture of 'sweet'.

Really, it's hard to imagine her making an impact in the US Senate. Still I'll be voting for her.



Edited, Oct 7th 2014 5:05pm by Elinda

Are you sure the tears weren't because Nexa was running off with some unassuming video game message board poster?

Was it her high school freshman picture? She doesn't look old enough to vote.

So our governors' soon to be next wife doesn't seem to mind marrying people for whatever bad reasons. I still wonder if it's enough for the Republican to actually close the rather large gap between them but it certainly won't hurt. I mean we already knew about a bunch of various not good stuff about Kitzhaber and we've still elected him 3 times, and this has nothing to do with him personally it seems.

Either way I might have reason to follow the race now.