Three weeks left til we get our vote on...
A big day is coming up very soon. No, not your birthday (and I'm not getting you anything). No, not Cyber Sunday (though I do think King Bookah is gonna win the belt). And no, not the day I slap your mother (though I will if she keeps sassing me).
It's Election Day, and it's a big one. Not quite as big as the day two years from now when we hopefully don't elect another doofus to replace the giant tool we have sitting in the Oval Office now (if he hasn't declared himself "King" by then). However, it's still a mid-term election, which means you could either make Bush a lame duck by puting a majority of Dems in Congress or help him retain control and elect Republicans, you know, the ones that aren't busy either taking illegal funds or trying to bang underage pages (at least Monica Lewinsky was of age).
My point today, though, is not to get into a politcal argument (although I do miss the days when my posts used to do that). My point is to inform the few people that may read this blog and also live in Ohio about a few of the statewide issues that you will be asked to vote for or against on November 7th. I know when I walk into the polls, I like to have a little knowledge of the articles and amendments I'll be asked to make a decision on instead of what most people do - either Eeney Meeney Miney Moe or asking themselves WWJD (personally, I don't think he'd register to vote. He's not really the type to take a side, don't you think?).
So, for anyone who cares, these are the issues on the upcoming Ohio ballot:
Issue 1.
Changes to Workers' Compensation Law
This proposal would change the number of weeks for which workers' compensation benefits are available, revises the state statutes making claimants names and addresses public records, provides for more restrictive investment criteria, and makes most psychiatric and pre-existing injuries non-compensable.
Note: This issue will appear on the ballot, although Secretary of State Ken Blackwell and the 10th District Court of Appeals agree that it lacks the required number of valid signatures. Backers of this issue have appealed to the Ohio Supreme Court. The ruling by that Court is expected prior to the election. Because ballots are already printed, this issue will appear on the ballot, the only question will be whether those votes are counted.
Issue 2.
Minimum Wage Increase
Proponents of this proposed constitutional amendment, which include almost every labor union in the state, focus their support on the sections of this proposal that would increase the minimum wage in Ohio from $5.15 to $6.85 per hour and then include index provisions that automatically increase the minimum wage with the rate of inflation.
Opponents of this issue, primarily the Ohio business community, are expressing opposition because reporting requirements may result in potential loss of both employee and company privacy.
Issue 3.
Learn and Earn Program
Passage of this constitutional amendment would permit limited gaming in Ohio. Proponents suggest that as much as $800 million would be generated for Ohio college scholarships. 45% of the proceeds from gaming at these sites would be set aside for scholarships and/ or economic development efforts.
Many libraries are already familiar with this issue, since many of the signatures to place this on the ballot were collected outside public libraries.
Issues 4.
Smoke Less
Issue 5.
Smoke Free
Smoke Less is a proposed constitution amendment that prohibits smoking in many enclosed public areas, but makes exceptions for many restaurants, bars, and retail establishments. This amendment is supported by retail business associations, bar and restaurant owners, and several tobacco related interests.
Smoke Free is a legislative initiative that prohibits smoking in enclosed areas of public places and places of employment. It provides a statewide prohibition to smoking in these areas, instead of the hodge-podge local ordinances currently in existence.
Smoke Free is supported by the American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, American Lung Association, and most health care and medical based associations.
If both issues pass, Issue 4 - Smoke Less will trump Issue 5 - Smoke Free because Issue 4 is a constitutional amendment. So, if you want Smoke Free (Issue 5) to pass, DO NOT vote yes on both. If everyone does that, Smoke Less will pass and Smoke Free will be shot...even if it passes.
If you're still interested or confused about any of these issues, please visit smartvoter.com for more information.
There, I've done my public service for the day.
It's Election Day, and it's a big one. Not quite as big as the day two years from now when we hopefully don't elect another doofus to replace the giant tool we have sitting in the Oval Office now (if he hasn't declared himself "King" by then). However, it's still a mid-term election, which means you could either make Bush a lame duck by puting a majority of Dems in Congress or help him retain control and elect Republicans, you know, the ones that aren't busy either taking illegal funds or trying to bang underage pages (at least Monica Lewinsky was of age).
My point today, though, is not to get into a politcal argument (although I do miss the days when my posts used to do that). My point is to inform the few people that may read this blog and also live in Ohio about a few of the statewide issues that you will be asked to vote for or against on November 7th. I know when I walk into the polls, I like to have a little knowledge of the articles and amendments I'll be asked to make a decision on instead of what most people do - either Eeney Meeney Miney Moe or asking themselves WWJD (personally, I don't think he'd register to vote. He's not really the type to take a side, don't you think?).
So, for anyone who cares, these are the issues on the upcoming Ohio ballot:
Issue 1.
Changes to Workers' Compensation Law
This proposal would change the number of weeks for which workers' compensation benefits are available, revises the state statutes making claimants names and addresses public records, provides for more restrictive investment criteria, and makes most psychiatric and pre-existing injuries non-compensable.
Note: This issue will appear on the ballot, although Secretary of State Ken Blackwell and the 10th District Court of Appeals agree that it lacks the required number of valid signatures. Backers of this issue have appealed to the Ohio Supreme Court. The ruling by that Court is expected prior to the election. Because ballots are already printed, this issue will appear on the ballot, the only question will be whether those votes are counted.
Issue 2.
Minimum Wage Increase
Proponents of this proposed constitutional amendment, which include almost every labor union in the state, focus their support on the sections of this proposal that would increase the minimum wage in Ohio from $5.15 to $6.85 per hour and then include index provisions that automatically increase the minimum wage with the rate of inflation.
Opponents of this issue, primarily the Ohio business community, are expressing opposition because reporting requirements may result in potential loss of both employee and company privacy.
Issue 3.
Learn and Earn Program
Passage of this constitutional amendment would permit limited gaming in Ohio. Proponents suggest that as much as $800 million would be generated for Ohio college scholarships. 45% of the proceeds from gaming at these sites would be set aside for scholarships and/ or economic development efforts.
Many libraries are already familiar with this issue, since many of the signatures to place this on the ballot were collected outside public libraries.
Issues 4.
Smoke Less
Issue 5.
Smoke Free
Smoke Less is a proposed constitution amendment that prohibits smoking in many enclosed public areas, but makes exceptions for many restaurants, bars, and retail establishments. This amendment is supported by retail business associations, bar and restaurant owners, and several tobacco related interests.
Smoke Free is a legislative initiative that prohibits smoking in enclosed areas of public places and places of employment. It provides a statewide prohibition to smoking in these areas, instead of the hodge-podge local ordinances currently in existence.
Smoke Free is supported by the American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, American Lung Association, and most health care and medical based associations.
If both issues pass, Issue 4 - Smoke Less will trump Issue 5 - Smoke Free because Issue 4 is a constitutional amendment. So, if you want Smoke Free (Issue 5) to pass, DO NOT vote yes on both. If everyone does that, Smoke Less will pass and Smoke Free will be shot...even if it passes.
If you're still interested or confused about any of these issues, please visit smartvoter.com for more information.
There, I've done my public service for the day.