This proposal would establish criteria to assess the financial condition of local governments and school districts. It would allow the governor to appoint an emergency manager (EM) to act in place of local government officials during times of a financial emergency. The EM then would develop financial and operating plans to relieve a city of its financial emergency.

SN votes: Yes

Obviously, no local government or the people within it would be too keen about a governor having the ability to supersede his or her local government with an EM, but an EM would be able to provide a local government with the means to get back on a fiscally responsible path and help its schools get strong and competitive. EMs already have been appointed in some communities in Michigan, such as Muskegon Heights, and those communities have seen improvements.

Proposal 2
Collective bargaining rights

This proposal would grant public and private employees the constitutional right to organize and bargain collectively through labor unions and would invalidate existing laws that limit the ability to join unions or bargain collectively.

SN votes: Yes

Unions have helped build this state, and every employee should have the right to unionize with his or her other employees and collectively bargain for workplace rights. Unions have helped improve workplace conditions and raise workers’ wages for years in Michigan, and this law would help others gain the same benefits.

Proposal 3
Renewable energy standards

This proposal would require electric utilities to provide at least 25 percent of their annual retail sales of electricity from renewable energy sources by 2025. It also would ensure that no more than 1 percent per-year utility rate increases would be charged to consumers in order to achieve compliance with the new standards.

SN votes: Yes

Many scientists agree the United States’ current energy consumption is causing climate change, and the country needs to begin limiting its dependence on nonrenewable energy sources, such as coal and oil. This proposal would create standards for incorporating renewable energy sources and gives companies more than 10 years to develop renewable energy sources. It is time Michigan become more dependent on its own renewable resources rather than foreign oil.

Proposal 4
Provide collective bargaining for in-home health care workers

This proposal would allow in-home care workers to bargain collectively, and would establish the Michigan Quality Home Care Council (MQHCC). The MQHCC would be required to provide training for in-home care workers and provide financial services to patients to manage the cost of in-home care.

SN votes: No

This proposal puts rights in Michigan’s Constitution for a very specific group. Amending the state’s constitution to provide rights to a single group of workers seems unnecessary, and this ballot proposal seems superfluous considering the many rights caregivers and patients already have in Michigan.

Proposal 5
Limit the enactment of new taxes by state government

This proposal would require a two-thirds majority vote of the state House and state Senate, or a statewide vote of the people at a November election, in order for the state of Michigan to impose new or additional taxes.

SN votes: No

If passed, this proposal would create insurmountable gridlock in the state’s Legislature. A two-thirds majority is ridiculous, and it would almost be impossible for the state to collect additional revenue if necessary. Citizens elect officials to make decisions for them in Lansing. Requiring a statewide vote in November for additional taxes is unnecessary.

Proposal 6
Construction of international bridges and tunnels

This proposal would require the approval of a majority of voters in a statewide election and in each municipality where “new international bridges or tunnels for motor vehicles” are to be located before the state of Michigan might expend state funds or resources for its construction.

SN votes: No

This proposal was created to hinder the construction of a new bridge from Detroit to Canada that has been supported by Gov. Rick Snyder. Allowing this new bridge to be built would increase trade between these two countries. Constructing the bridge also would create hundreds of jobs. If a voter supports this new bridge, he or she should vote no on this proposal.