By James Lawlor

Planning-Related Ballot Issues. The 2002 elections saw significantly fewer ballot questions than the 2000 election year, according to data compiled by the Initiative and Referendum Institute. Initiatives and referendums were down about 30 percent. Nevertheless, several questions of interest to planners appeared on state ballots. On the whole, voters in the states continue willing to tax themselves for transportation improvements, open-space acquisition, historic preservation, and environmental benefits, good news for planners.

• In Arizona, voters approved an initiative petition to authorize agreements between Indian tribes and the state allowing continuation of limited, regulated gaming on tribal lands. However, voters disapproved by an overwhelming margin an initiative that would have directed the governor to enter gaming compacts with Arizona tribes. Thus it appears that the voters, while willing to continue the limited gambling currently permitted, do not desire to see it expanded.

• California voters approved a referendum to establish the Housing and Emergency Shelter Trust Fund. They also approved a proposition authorizing the state to issue $3.4 billion in general obligation bonds to fund a variety of water-related projects. These include water-use efficiency projects; grants and loans to reduce use of Colorado River water, acquisition of coastal wetlands; development of river parkways; improving security of state, local and regional water systems, and grants for desalination and drinking water disinfection projects. Another initiative approved by the voters would reallocate 30 percent of revenues collected on motor vehicle sales or leases from the state's general fund to the traffic congestion relief and school bus trust fund. The redirected money would fund highway improvement projects, expansion of light and commuter rail, and various environmental management, transportation impact mitigation and transportation safety programs.

• Florida voters approved an amendment to the state constitution that would authorize counties to exempt from property taxes an increase in the value of homestead property resulting from constructing living quarters for parents or grandparents who are 62 years old or older. The voters also approved an amendment requiring that laws creating exemptions from public records or public meetings requirements be enacted by a two-thirds vote of each house of the legislature. They rejected a proposal authorizing amendments are revisions to the Miami-Dade County home rule charter.

• In Georgia, voters approved constitutional amendments that would allow tax incentives to encourage the redevelopment of blighted property; allow different tax rates for properties contaminated with hazardous waste, to encourage cleanups; and allow separate valuations for qualified affordable residential developments.

• Voters in Maine approved a referendum authorizing issuance of general bonds for water pollution control and other environmental issues.

• Massachusetts voters rejected a proposal to abolish the state income tax.

• In Nevada, voters approved a $200 million bond issue for preservation of water quality; protecting open space, lakes, rivers, wetlands, and wildlife habitat; and restoration and improvement of parks, recreation areas, and historic and cultural resources.

• A constitutional amendment approved by New Mexico voters permits state and local governments to provide land, buildings, or infrastructure for affordable housing.

• Oklahoma voters approved a referendum that will allow local governments to issue economic development bonds.

• Rhode Island voters approved two bond issues and rejected one. One of the approved measures authorizes the state to issue bonds or other debt instruments, not exceeding $14 million, to support recreational developments, historic preservation, and the Heritage Harbor Museum. The other approved measure authorizes $563.5 million in debt to match federal funds for highway improvement, transportation maintenance facilities, and acquisition of buses. The voters rejected an $11 million bond request for site preparation at the Quonset Point/Davisville industrial park.

• Washington voters approved an initiative that will cap annual license tab fees at $30 for most private vehicles. Enactment of the measure is expected to have a severe impact on transportation infrastructure funding in the state, which is largely supported by the annual tax. The voters also rejected a proposal to increase weight fees on trucks and large vehicles as well as fuel excise taxes and sales taxes on vehicles, to finance transportation improvements. In a vote that gained national attention, citizens of Seattle voted to impose a 1.4 percent annual tax on vehicles registered in the city to pay for a proposed $1.75 billion monorail system. If constructed, the system would be the longest monorail in the world.

California Update. The legislature enacted a bill, ACA 11 (ch. 185, Laws of 2002) to create the 21st Century Infrastructure Investment Fund. The fund would be supported by transferring up to three percent of revenues from the state's general fund. Half of the money made available would be used for acquiring, building, and rehabilitating state-owned infrastructure, with the other half going to projects owned by cities, counties, or special districts. The measure must be approved by the voters in 2004.