Indiana ballot news
From Ballotpedia
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| Propositions • | Recall | • Law |
Here you'll find a collection of ballot news stories from Indiana.
Group looking to consolidate local Evansville government with referendum
EVANSVILLE, Indiana: The League of Women Voters is backing a measure that would alter the Evansville, Indiana government and change it to a city-county government consolidation, arguing that it would “streamline” the local government. According to the group, a consolidated government would also stimulate economic development because it would give businesses a simplified government that would enable them to better deal with local officials.
According to Roberta Heiman, league president:"We believe it's time for serious consideration of all possible things that might improve the efficiency of local governments...We think, most of all, that it's time for the citizens to be allowed to vote on whether to do this."[1]
Indiana town to vote on hospital expansion
INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana: In a unique situation, Marion County voters will decide on November 3, 2009 whether or not to construct a new, $700 million facility to Wishard Memorial Hospital. Despite the fact there are no statewide election in Indiana this year, State Senator Luke Kenley insisted on a referendum, assuring that the town was not trying to evade the requirement by demanding this early vote. This means voters may use paper ballots rather than electronic voting machines.[2]
Although Wishard administrators will still have to supply all the funds for the project, they were unwilling to wait until the next scheduled election in May because, they say, that would add $50 million in total costs. Matt Gutwein, of the Health and Hospital Corporation, remarked "the cost is considerable for delaying. And, in addition, now is the time, interest rates are low." Gutwein also assured voters that now tax increase would be needed to build and maintain the addition.[3]
Fort Wayne mayor upset over lack of casino referendum
FORT WAYNE, Indiana: Disappointment has set in with Fort Wayne Mayor John Henry, who voiced his displeasure with a lack of a casino referendum from the special session at the Indiana Statehouse. The city has spent a year and almost $40 thousand on it's effort to bring a referendum to Fort Wayne. Despite the recent setback, Henry stated that the effort on the city's part was well spent.[4]
"Whatever the future might hold on the issue of gaming, let me make one thing clear," said Henry. "I want the people of Fort Wayne to be able to make their own decision concerning this matter."
Henry said he'll now reassess the referendum issue with his staff to decide how, or if, they will proceed.
Legislators in six states consider health insurance reform proposal
State legislators and activists in six states are considering a proposal that would allow people in their state to opt out of any federally-mandated health insurance plans that may be enacted by the federal government. According to Christine Herrera of the American Legislative Exchange Council, their state legislator members have endorsed a resolution that opposes a Medicare-modeled federal health plan. "Our state legislatures are looking at what's going on in Washington as trampling state's rights," she said, and as a result, some state legislators are looking for ways to allow their state's residents to opt out of any coming federal mandates.[5]
In Arizona, legislators have already placed the Arizona Health Insurance Reform Amendment (2010) on their 2010 ballot. Similar measures are under consider in Indiana, Minnesota, New Mexico, North Dakota and Wyoming.[5]
Arizona legislator Phil Lopes, a Democrat, is opposed to this approach, saying, "The proponents of this are saying the system we have now works and we don't want any kind of reform. This flies in the face of what the public tells us they want." In a state legislative dialogue that has crossed state lines, Wisconsin Republican legislator Leah Vukmir says, "The real goal of national health insurance exchange isn't competition -- it's a federal power grab that flies in the face of the Tenth Amendment."[5]
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