Our opinion: Pondering our potpourri of propositions
Gay marriage doesn't stand a chance in Arizona. But local control should. Voters should oppose Proposition 107. Pondering our potpourri of propositions
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Among the five ballot propositions addressing isolated issues, perhaps none is more misleading than Prop. 107, "Protect Marriage Arizona."
Although Prop. 107 proposes to outlaw same-sex marriage in the Arizona Constitution, that provision is redundant, as state law already bans gay marriage.
What Prop. 107 would do, though, is overturn local decisions by school districts, cities and counties to give benefits to unmarried couples - straight or gay.
And it would ban health benefits for unmarried partners of state, county and city employees, including police, firefighters, school and college workers.
Elderly couples living together outside of marriage for financial reasons might face serious complications with pension and Social Security benefits, shared earnings and inheritance and property rights.
Gay marriage doesn't stand a chance in Arizona. But local control should.
The Tucson Citizen opposes Prop. 107.
Prop. 204: humane treatment
This measure - which would require farms to provide pregnant cows and veal calves with enough room to turn around and stretch their limbs - seems innocuous on the surface. And it is.
Despite a very vocal outcry from a very few opponents, Prop. 204 would pose no harm - financial or otherwise - to Arizona farmers. Indeed, Arizona's family farmers already adhere to such basic decency.
The Tucson Citizen supports Proposition 204.
Prop. 301: no meth probation
The epidemic of methamphetamine use in Arizona is an exceedingly serious concern, and all reasonable efforts must be made to eradicate this drug.
Prop. 301, however, would treat meth users differently than other users of illicit drugs by denying probation to meth users on the first or second offense.
The Legislature undoubtedly sent this proposal to the ballot with good intentions, but it has fatal flaws.
First, it is based on the assumption that meth users cannot experience recovery with treatment. That idea has been debunked repeatedly in recent years by the successful treatment and recovery of former meth addicts.
Second, Prop. 301 presumes judges need outside assistance in sentencing criminals who come before them. They don't.
The Tucson Citizen opposes Proposition 301.
Prop. 302: legislators' salaries
Whether state lawmakers deserve a raise, from $24,000 to $36,000, naturally is a subject of debate among residents.
Legislators spend four or five months in session, plus time in committee meetings before and after the session, most of them far from home. The good lawmakers respond to constituents' needs year-round.
Their duties are serious: set a budget of more than $10 billion and decide on our tax code, education, public safety, health care and myriad other issues.
We need intelligent, dedicated state leaders, and legislators haven't had a raise since 1998.
The Tucson Citizen supports Proposition 302.
Prop. 202: minimum wage
We said it on Labor Day (Sept. 4), and we reiterate: Boost Arizona's minimum wage to $6.75 an hour.
When the $5.15 minimum was set in 1997, gasoline was $1.30 a gallon. Times change. The current minimum provides the least purchasing power in 50 years.
Workers deserve honest pay for honest work.
The Tucson Citizen supports Proposition 202.
Best wishes to all, regardless of your "side."
P.S. "Gay" marriage already exists. It existed when you were born, and it will exist when you die. Any legal battles are over rights and recognitions.
P.P.S. I prefer to simply call it marriage. I like to see people's humanity before I see a trivial thing like whether they are male, female, intersex, or transgender.
It doesn't.
There is a huge difference between making people equal and making behaviors equal.
I can just imagine how ****ed up everything would be if we started making behavior a right.