Draft VIP Full Page Format 09252008
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2008 Voter Information Pamphlet Page From Secretary of State Brad Johnson Dear Montana Voter, This year the ballot will include a statutory initiative proposed by citizens as well as a legis- Welcome to the 2008 Voter Information lative referendum and one constitutional amend- Pamphlet! Voting is one of our most cherished ment proposed by the legislature. rights. It’s also one of our most fundamental re- In addition to the ballot issues, the pamphlet sponsibilities. But it’s not includes a number of items that we hope will as- enough just to vote. Democ- sist you in voting. You will find information on racy works best when we all each of the political parties as well as contact cast an informed vote. information for local election offices and facts This year, the ballot in- about Montana’s election laws. cludes three ballot issues on You can use the Internet to find more infor- which you’ll be invited to mation about elections and voting at http:// vote. This pamphlet presents montanavotes.net or at the official Secretary of to you the full text and ballot State’s Web site at http://sos.mt.gov. In addition, language of each of those you can call my office toll-free at 1-888-884- issues, arguments for and VOTE (8683). against each issue, and rebut- Informed participation in our democracy is tals to both those arguments. It’s a chance to crucially important. Our government is never study the messages of the supporters and oppo- better than we demand it to be or worse than we nents of each ballot issue, and come to an in- allow it to be. I hope you’ll take the time to care- formed decision about how you want to vote. fully read the Voter Information Pamphlet, to Montana’s Constitution gives us as citizens study the issues, and ask your own questions. the right to directly initiate change in our govern- Most of all, I hope you’ll cast an informed vote ment. This is done through the initiative and ref- on November 4. Your vote is your voice in gov- erendum process where individuals, groups and ernment. Make your voice be heard. the legislature propose constitutional or statutory changes. Citizens gather signatures on initiative petitions to have those proposed changes placed on the ballot so that all registered voters may have a voice in that decision. Brad Johnson, Secretary of State Published in 2008 by the Office of the Montana Secretary of State. Cover photo of the State Capitol at night by Donnie Sexton of Travel Montana, reprinted with permission. If you would like to receive additional copies of the VIP, or would like to receive it in large print, in Braille, on a CD, electronically, online, or in another accessible format, please contact the Secretary of State’s Office at 1-888-884-VOTE (8683), go to our Web site at http://sos.mt.gov, or email soselec- [email protected]. Page 2 Table of Contents Page 4 Page 12 What Is the Voter Information Pamphlet? Initiative No. 155 (I-155) A citizen initiative to expand CHIP and Medicaid Page 4 eligibility for uninsured children, coordinate chil- Constitutional Amendment No. 44 (C-44) dren’s health coverage, and encourage enroll- A legislative proposal allowing up to 25% of all ment of eligible children. public funds presently restricted to fixed income Page 12: Ballot language investments to be invested in private corporate Page 12-17: Complete text capital stock. Page 17-18: Proponents’ argument Page 4-5: Ballot language Page 18-19: Opponents’ argument Page 5: Complete text Page 19: Proponents’ rebuttal Page 6: Proponents’ argument Page 19: Opponents’ rebuttal Page 6-7: Opponents’ argument Page 7: Proponents’ rebuttal Page 20-21 Page 8: Opponents’ rebuttal Political Parties of Montana Page 8 Page 22-23 Legislative Referendum No. 118 (LR-118) Voting in Montana Elections A legislative proposal to impose a levy of six mills for the support of the Montana university Page 24-26 system. Contact Info for County Election Offices Page 8: Ballot language Page 8-9: Complete text Page 27 Page 9: Proponents’ argument Ballot Issue Reminder Worksheet Page 10: Opponents’ argument Page 11: Proponents’ rebuttal Page 11: Opponents’ rebuttal ♦ Bring your ID to vote! ♦ If you forget your ID, ask the poll workers what options are available to you. ♦ If you make a mistake or damage your ballot, don’t try to correct it — ask your election official for a replacement ballot. ♦ AutoMARK ballot marking machines are available to help any voter who wants extra assistance in voting. Page 3 What Is the Voter Information Pamphlet? The Voter Information Pamphlet (or VIP) is printed as filed by the committees and do not published by the Secretary of State to provide necessarily represent the views of the Secretary Montana voters with information on statewide of State or the State of Montana. ballot issues. The Secretary of State distributes Can I get the VIP in a different format? pamphlets to county election officials, who mail If you would like to receive the Voter Infor- a VIP to each household with an active registered mation Pamphlet in large print, in Braille, on a voter. CD, electronically, online, or in another accessi- Who writes the information in the VIP? ble format, please contact the Secretary of State’s The Attorney General writes an explanatory Office at 1-888-884-VOTE (8683), go to our statement for each ballot issue. The statement, website at http://sos.mt.gov, or email soselec- not to exceed 100 words, is required to be a true [email protected]. and impartial explanation of the purpose of each The Secretary of State has a telecommunica- measure in easy-to-understand language. The tions device for the deaf (TDD) at (406) 444- Attorney General also prepares the fiscal state- 9068. Alternative accessible formats of this docu- ment, if necessary, and “for” and “against” state- ment will be provided upon request. ments for each issue. These statements appear on For more information on elections, visit the the ballot. Secretary of State’s Web site at http://sos.mt.gov. Pro and con arguments and rebuttals are writ- You also may contact the office directly on a toll- ten by committees appointed by the sponsors of free hotline set up to answer questions on regis- the issues and by state officials. Argument sub- tering and voting; that number is 1-888-884- missions are limited to one page and rebuttals to VOTE (8683). a half page. All arguments and rebuttals are Disclaimer The information that follows for each proposed ballot issue is the official ballot language written by the Attorney General's office, the text of each issue, and the arguments and rebuttals for and against each issue. The arguments and rebuttals were prepared by committees appointed to support and oppose each issue. The opinions expressed therein do not necessarily represent the views of the Secretary of State or the State of Montana. The State also does not guarantee the truth or accuracy of any statement therein. Constitutional Amendment No. 44 Ballot Language AN AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITU- DATE. TION PROPOSED BY THE LEGISLATURE The 2007 Legislature submitted this proposal for a vote. This measure would amend the Mon- AN ACT SUBMITTING TO THE QUALI- tana Constitution to allow up to 25 percent of all FIED ELECTORS OF MONTANA AN state trust fund assets to be invested in private AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE VIII, SECTION corporate capital stock. Currently, the Constitu- 13, OF THE MONTANA CONSTITUTION TO tion allows only Retirement Funds and Workers’ ALLOW UP TO 25 PERCENT OF CERTAIN Compensation Insurance Funds to be invested in PUBLIC FUNDS TO BE INVESTED IN PRI- private corporate capital stock. VATE CORPORATE CAPITAL STOCK; AND In the short term, it is expected that income PROVIDING AN IMMEDIATE EFFECTIVE (Continued on page 5) Page 4 Constitutional Amendment No. 44 (Continued from page 4) [] FOR allowing up to 25% of all public will be reduced while trust monies are transferred funds presently restricted to fixed income invest- from bonds to stocks. In the long term, if histori- ments to be invested in private corporate capital cal investment performance continues, trust fund stock. income may increase because aggregate stock [] AGAINST allowing up to 25% of all values are expected to appreciate, while bond public funds presently restricted to fixed income values do not. investments to be invested in private corporate capital stock. Complete Text of C-44 AN ACT SUBMITTING TO THE QUALI- all other state institutions of learning shall be FIED ELECTORS OF MONTANA AN safely and conservatively invested in: AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE VIII, SECTION (a) Public securities of the state, its subdi- 13, OF THE MONTANA CONSTITUTION TO visions, local government units, and districts ALLOW UP TO 25 PERCENT OF CERTAIN within the state, or PUBLIC FUNDS TO BE INVESTED IN PRI- (b) Bonds of the United States or other VATE CORPORATE CAPITAL STOCK; AND securities fully guaranteed as to principal and PROVIDING AN IMMEDIATE EFFECTIVE interest by the United States, or DATE. (c) Such other safe investments bearing a fixed rate of interest as may be provided by law. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE that a prudent expert acting in a fiduciary capac- OF THE STATE OF MONTANA: ity and familiar with the circumstances would use in investing a fund guaranteed against loss or Section 1. Article VIII, section 13, of diversion. The Constitution of the State of Montana is (3) Investment of public retirement sys- amended to read: tem assets shall be managed in a fiduciary capac- "Section 13.