Michigan Election Proposals 2012

Every four years the presidential election occurs. Along with this election voters must decide on six proposals for Michigan. These proposals decide the future of the environment, the workforce, economy, structures, safety, and home care.

In 2011 the Emergency Manager Act was passed. This allowed for the state to intervene when a local government is under threat of insolvency. This also allowed for an appointed Emergency Manager to override contracts; including union contracts. Proposal one however looks to amend this act, which is an advantage for the labor unions because those voters are not sure on how to vote on the issue will simple vote, no.

This year proposal two looks to enshrine collective bargaining. Supporters claim unions are under attack and workers will lose their hard-won rights, pay, and benefits if the proposal doesn't win. Republican leaders have passed roughly 30 laws opposed by unions since the GOP swept the House, Senate and Governor's Office in 2010. Opponents say the amendment would eradicate a half-century of labor laws, including those that protect workers and keep pedophile teachers out of classrooms.

The environment has been an important factor of our economy and proposal three looks to increase the supply of renewable energy in Michigan by 25 percent by 2025. Supporters say that this would increase jobs, stimulate the economy, and supply us with renewable energy. However, people who do not support the claim say the cost of this would set us back so far that we could not recover. They also believe that we don’t have the proper wind patters in order for the turbines to work properly.

This fall, proposal four would allow seniors and people with disabilities to make an important decision on the remainder of their life. They would get the choice to remain independent in their homes while continuing to remain healthy, as opposed to being forced into, sometimes, expensive nursing homes. Along with giving individuals the choice, it would give a registry to link care providers to those who need it. The providers would undergo background checks to ensure that the care givers are appropriate for the job.  This could also be less expensive for tax payers because of the low cost of at-home care.

Taxes are a very controversial part of our economy. Proposal five would require a 2/3 majority vote of the state house and the state senate, or a statewide vote of the people in order for the state of Michigan to impose new or additional taxes or expand the base of taxation, or increasing the rate. This would also make it more difficult legislators to raise taxes.

The Ambassador Bridge runs from Detroit to Windsor, almost 15,000 people cross the bridge daily. This amount of people crossing the bridge causes a large amount of congestion. In order to relieve the traffic proposal six will begin the construction of a new bridge. The cost of this could be up to 550 million dollars, however this would also create up to 5,000 jobs for the construction and hundreds more to maintain it. Some say however that the bridge would not have a positive outcome.

2012 brings a decision on the future of the state and the country. It will be up to the experienced and inexperienced to make this decision. The less experienced voters will now have an idea on what to expect on the ballet, allowing them to make a decision on what they believe in.