Editorial

Bewildering array of ballot issues face voters

Friday, October 27, 2006

Anyone who has waded through lines and lines of proposed amendments and initiative measures on the Nov. 7 ballot has our sympathy.

From the obscure -- Amendment 4, which deals with dividing duties such as probation or parole or other court-ordered services -- to the emotional -- Measure 423 to impose a state spending limit and Measure 422 to undo the dissolution of Class I schools -- voters are asked to do some serious homework before walking into the polling place or putting a stamp on their mail-in ballot.

Most of us still have questions about many of the measures. Yes, we're in favor of the local control lost when Class I schools were dissolved. But, we're also conscious of the number of taxpayer dollars it takes to educate each student.

We'll leave Measure 422 to the discretion of the voters.

Other issues seem more clear cut -- we've already come out against Measure 421 to allow video keno, and hope that Amendment 3 isn't needed to provide more help for compulsive gamblers.

Amendment 1 to authorize nonprofit enterprises to use revenue bonds to develop and lease property seems reasonable, especially because it will put Nebraska in synch with federal tax codes and nearly every other state.

The same goes for Amendment 2, which allows public endowments to make investments with a higher rate of return. It updates a Nebraska law written in 1875. Public endowments are money given to a city or government agency such as a school board; now they are limited to investing in bonds and fixed-income securities.

Amendment 4, which changes the separation of powers provision of the state constitution, would allow the Legislature to assign to the judicial and executive departments responsibilities regarding people sentenced to probation, released on parole or subject to programs provided by a court. It seems reasonable to allow the Legislature to sort out whether the judicial or executive branches of government oversee parole, corrections or probation.

Amendment 5 would use interest from the Permanent School Trust Fund, as well as donated funds, for early childhood education. Following the adage "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure," supporters say that reaching at-risk children early can help reduce special education costs, juvenile arrests and violent offenses, child abuse and neglect, and help increase the high school graduation rate.

Amendment 6 would make it easier for communities and counties to use tax increment financing to develop property, removing a requirement that the property be declared "blighted" before it is eligible.

TIF financing has the potential to promote economic development in small towns like McCook.

Whichever way you vote on these ballot issues and candidates, we hope you have taken the time and effort to make a wise decision.

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