Voters in 3 States Will Decide Referenda That Affect Higher Education

With no national election in 2007, relatively few states will hold referenda on November 6, and most measures that could affect higher education will involve bonds. The three states with higher-education measures on the ballot:

Maine

Question 1 would allow an American Indian tribe to run a harness-racing track with slot machines and high-stakes bingo games in Washington County, in eastern Maine. Two percent of the total gross slot-machine income would support scholarships for the University of Maine at Machias, and 1 percent of that income would support scholarships at Washington County Community College. Additionally, 1 percent of the total gross slot-machine income would support career- and technical-education centers in Washington County.

Question 2 would authorize the state to issue $55-million in bonds to stimulate economic development and job creation, with $50-million to be used for research grants administered by the Maine Technology Institute. The institute is a state-financed, nonprofit organization created in 1999 by the legislature to provide research-and-development support to commercialize new products. It often supports early research at the state's colleges and universities.

Question 3 would authorize the state to issue $43.5-million in bonds for college and university improvements, including the repair and renovation of buildings, safety upgrades, and improvements in museums, laboratories, and libraries. If the measure is approved, $23-million would be provided to the University of Maine system, $15.5-million would go to the Maine Community College system, $1.5-million would go to the Maine Maritime Academy, $1.5-million would support public-school improvements, and $2-million would go to the Maine Cultural Affairs Council.

Texas

Proposition 1 would update references in the state Constitution to Angelo State University, completing the university's move into the Texas Tech University system and allowing it to continue to receive state appropriations. The Texas Legislature transferred control of Angelo State from the Texas State University system to the Texas Tech system this year.

Proposition 2 would authorize the state to issue up to $500-million in bonds for student loans distributed through the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. If approved, the bonds would enable the board to continue financing student loans with a fixed interest rate of 6 percent. Revenue from loan interest would pay back the entire cost of the bonds.

Proposition 7 would allow government entities to sell property acquired through eminent domain back to the previous owners at the price the entities paid to acquire the property. This might affect any college or university that uses eminent domain to acquire land.

Proposition 15 would authorize the state to issue up to $3-billion in bonds to support research on all forms of human cancer, administered by an entity established by the proposition, the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas. The proposition would authorize research expenditures of no more than $300-million each year as early as 2009. If it is approved, institutions of higher education and advanced medical-research facilities would be able to receive these grants.

Washington

House Joint Resolution 4215 would amend the state Constitution to permit institutions of higher education to invest their endowments in any stocks or bonds issued by any company, association, or corporation, where allowed by law.

Initiative Measure 960 concerns tax and fee increases imposed by Washington's state government. If it is approved, the initiative would require two-thirds legislative approval or majority voter approval for tax increases and legislative approval of fee increases. It would also require an advisory vote on new or increased taxes enacted by the Legislature without voter approval, and the state's office of financial management would be required to publish information on how any bill that would increase taxes would affect voters financially.