Wednesday Round Up: $10 Minimum in Eureka?

Joe Mathews — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 13:43:00 -0400

ANTI-GAY MARRIAGE MEASURE HEADED FOR CALIFORNIA BALLOT: Or so its supporters say. This tracks though with information first reported here over the weekend that the initiative, at $2 per signature, had made the ballot. This is in spite of a well-organized blocking campaign by opponents. One wonders, however, why backers are spending their money. Some polls suggest that Californian is close to having a majority of citizens who support same-sex marriage, and the Republican governor has vowed to fight this.

$10 PER HOUR IN EUREKA: Signature gathering is about to begin on a new minimum wage ballot initiative that would guarantee $10 per hour to anyone working in the city of Eureka on California's northern coast.

MOMENTUM FOR COLORADO RIGHT TO WORK: That's according to its supporters, who are lining up endorsements. Business groups are backing it, but they should be wary. A frontal attack on labor is likely to unite the state's unions and turn out to be a setback for business interests. Exhibit A: California, the year 2005.

MICHIGAN HEALTH: Health care groups are getting behind a Michigan ballot initiative that would enshrine health insurance as a right in the state constitution.

BUT IN ARIZONA. Supporters of a similar health care ballot initiative are giving up. The sponsors blame John McCain for supposely suppressing fundraising for progressive causes in Arizona. Or something. It might be more accurate to blame Barack Obama; progressive donors may be thinking that a Democratic president would tackle health care nationally, and thus are saving their bucks for that fight.

ANTI ABORTION MEASURES:: The Wall Street Journal has a summary of anti-abortion ballot initiatives, focusing on the difference in approach between pro-life advocates who seek to put restrictions on abortion and others who prefer "personhood" initiatives that grant embryos the rights of human beings in an effort to ban abortion all together.

WORKING THE REFEREES: Sponsors of anti-illegal immigration initiative in Arkansas are accusing the attorney general of not playing fair. The a.g. blocked their first attempt at an initiative.

A WATER WAR IN UTAH: Residents of a Utah county want a referendum as a way to stop a state water pipeline. The pipeline would divert Colorado River water to support development in several counties. Look for more of these kinds of measures as the Western drought deepens.

Right Work

Wednesday Round Up: $10 Minimum in Eureka?