These two states may help set the mood on taxes as economic times get rougher. But a number of other tax measures await voters in other states. For instance, Arizonans will face the “Majority Rules Initiative,” Proposition 105, that would require any initiative increasing taxes or requiring greater spending to be passed not just by a majority of those voting, but by a majority of all registered voters, a nearly impossible threshold to reach. Maine voters may veto Governor Baldacci’s tax increase on beer, wine and soft drinks to fund the Dirigo Health Choice program, after citizens collected enough signatures to force a referendum. Massachusetts voters can, though likely won’t, repeal their state income tax via Question 1. Oregonians will decide whether to allow state income taxpayers to fully deduct their federal income taxes ala Measure 59.

  3. South Dakota Initiated Measure 10, The Open and Clean Government Act, would prevent the use of public funds for any “campaign, lobbying, or partisan purposes.” The measure prevents those who receive no-bid state contracts from making political contributions to the politicians awarding them the contract. Measure 10 also blocks the current practice of laundering tax dollars through county and municipal associations and other tax-supported groups to then be used in ballot measure campaigns and lobbying efforts.

Not surprisingly, the South Dakota Association of County Commissioners, supported by tax dollars from each of the 66 counties in the state, is opposing the initiative. Both the state’s Republican and Democratic parties also urge a No vote on Measure 10.

  2. California Proposition 7, Renewable Energy Generation. This statutory measure, known as “Big Solar,” would require utilities to generate 20 percent of their power from renewable energy by 2010, 40 percent by 2020 and 50 percent by 2025. Supporters claim it will make California a leader in renewable energy and improve the environment. Opponents say it will cost consumers dearly in higher utility rates and could be counter-productive in developing renewable energy.

A July Field Poll found Californians largely unaware of the measure, but 63 percent were supportive compared to 24 percent against it. However, opponents, with help from PG&E and Edison, will have the funds to get their message to voters.

Another California measure, Prop 10, sometimes called “Big Wind,” would provide $5 billion in bond money to subsidize alternative fuels. Missouri voters will decide Proposition C, which, similar to California’s Prop 7, would mandate that 15 percent of the energy generated or purchased by investor-owned utilities be from renewable sources.

  1. Constitutional Convention Calls in Connecticut, Hawaii and Illinois. Eleven states require that voters automatically be asked whether to call a constitutional convention to consider amendments and revisions to the state’s constitution every ten or 20 years. This year a question appears on the ballot in Connecticut, Hawaii and Illinois.

These questions tend to fail by significant margins, but with voters so thoroughly dissatisfied, that might change this year. Grassroots campaigns to win a Yes vote have sprung up in all three states. Campaigns against holding a convention have organized, too, funded by powerful business and labor interests in each state.

In Connecticut and Illinois, there are two striking features of the campaigns in favor of a convention. First, the coalitions include anti-tax conservatives alongside social justice advocates. Second, this broad coalition doesn’t speak of enacting their diverse agendas. Instead, the main focus is on obtaining a statewide process of voter initiative and referendum (and in Illinois’ case, recall, too). These voter-powered reforms are seen as the critical step to making government in some way accountable to the public.

Back in the summer, a poll showed the Illinois constitutional convention question ahead, but the opposition is much better funded and organized. And the measure must garner a supermajority, 60 percent of the vote, in order to prevail.

In Connecticut, the last time a question was on the ballot it got creamed, 3 to 1. Still, there is strong support for allowing voter initiatives, and the convention is arguably the best way to enact that process. Recently, Republican Governor Jodi Rell endorsed a Yes vote on the convention, for just that reason.

We may not always like our choices, but we want to make more of them — to have more control over our government. Though no process is ever perfect, this November’s 61 statewide initiatives and referenda, along with another 84 measures referred to state ballots by legislators, give voters more say.

That’s a step in the right direction.