PROPOSAL 12-1

A  REFERENDUM ON PUBLIC ACT 4 OF 2011 – THE EMERGENCY

MANAGER LAW

Public Act 4 of 2011 would:

 Establish criteria to assess the financial condition of local government units, including school districts.  Authorize Governor to appoint an emergency manager (EM) upon state finding of a financial emergency, and allow the EM to act in place of local government officials.  Require EM to develop financial and operating plans, which may include modification or termination of contracts, reorganization of government, and determination of expenditures, services, and use of assets until the emergency is resolved.  Alternatively, authorize state-appointed review team to enter into a local government approved consent decree. 

 Should this law be approved?

PROPOSAL 12-2

A PROPOSAL TO AMEND THE STATE CONSTITUTION REGARDING COLLECTIVE BARGAINING

 This proposal would:

 Grant public and private employees the constitutional right to organize and bargain collectively through labor unions.  Invalidate existing or future state or local laws that limit the ability to join unions and bargain collectively, and to negotiate and enforce collective bargaining agreements, including employees’ financial support of their labor unions.  Laws may be enacted to prohibit public employees from striking.  Override state laws that regulate hours and conditions of employment to the extent that those laws conflict with collective bargaining agreements.  Define “employer” as a person or entity employing one or more employees.

Should this proposal be approved?

PROPOSAL 12-3

 A PROPOSAL TO AMEND THE STATE CONSTITUTION TO ESTABLISH A STANDARD

FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY

 This proposal would:

 Require electric utilities to provide at least 25% of their annual retail sales of electricity from renewable energy sources, which are wind, solar, biomass, and hydropower, by 2025.  Limit to not more than 1% per year electric utility rate increases charged to consumers only to achieve compliance with the renewable energy standard.   Allow annual extensions of the deadline to meet the 25% standard in order to prevent rate increases over the 1% limit.  Require the legislature to enact additional laws to encourage the use ofMichiganmade equipment and employment ofMichiganresidents. 

Should this proposal be approved?

PROPOSAL 12-4

 A PROPOSAL TO AMEND THE STATE CONSTITUTION TO ESTABLISH THE MICHIGAN QUALITY HOME CARE COUNCIL AND PROVIDE COLLECTIVE BARGAINING FOR IN-HOME CARE WORKERS

 This proposal would:

 Allow in-home care workers to bargain collectively with the Michigan Quality Home Care Council (MQHCC).  Continue the current          exclusive representative of in-home care workers until modified in accordance with labor laws. Require MQHCC to provide training for in-home care workers, create a registry of workers who pass background checks, and provide financial services to patients to manage the cost of in-home care.   Preserve patients’ rights to hire in-home care workers who are not referred from the MQHCC registry who are bargaining unit members.  Authorize the MQHCC to set minimum compensation standards and terms and conditions of employment.

Should this proposal be approved?

PROPOSAL 12-5

 A PROPOSAL TO AMEND THE STATE CONSTITUTION TO LIMIT THE ENACTMENT OF NEW TAXES BY STATE GOVERNMENT

 This proposal would:

 Require a 2/3 majority vote of the State House and the State Senate, or a statewide vote of the people at a November election, in order for the State of Michigan to impose new or additional taxes on taxpayers or expand the base of taxation or increasing the rate of taxation.

 This section shall in no way be construed to limit or modify tax limitations otherwise created in this Constitution.

Should this proposal be approved?

PROPOSAL 12-6

 A PROPOSAL TO AMEND THE STATE CONSTITUTION REGARDING CONSTRUCTION OF INTERNATIONAL BRIDGES AND TUNNELS

 This proposal would:

 Require the approval of a majority of voters at a statewide election and in each municipality where “new international bridges or tunnels for motor vehicles” are to be located before the State of Michigan may expend state funds or resources for acquiring land, designing, soliciting bids for, constructing, financing, or promoting new international bridges or tunnels.  Create a definition of “new international bridges or tunnels for motor vehicles” that means, “any bridge or tunnel which is not open to the public and serving traffic as ofJanuary 1, 2012.”

 Should this proposal be approved?

BRANCH COUNTY SHERIFF DEPARTMENT

ROAD PATROL MILLAGE PROPOSAL

Shall the County of Branch, Michigan, impose an increase of up to .75 mill ($.75 per $1,000.00 of taxable valuation) in the tax limitation imposed under Article IX, Section 6 of Michigan Constitution of 1963, as amended, against all real and personal property in the County for a period of five years, commencing with the tax year 2012 through the tax year 2016, for providing funds for Road Patrol and its enforcement functions of the Branch County Sheriff’s Office?  The estimate of the revenue the County will collect if the millage is approved and levied in 2013 is approximately $975,000.00.

BUTLER TOWNSHIP

 MILLAGE PROPOSAL, FIRE PROTECTION AND EQUIPMENT

 Shall Butler Township impose an increase of up to 1.00 mills ($1.00 per $1,000 of taxable value) in the tax limitation imposed under Article IX, Sec. 6 of the Michigan Constitution and levy it for 5 years, 2012 through 2016 inclusive, for fire protection and equipment, which 1.00 mills increase will raise an estimated $37,011 in the first year the millage is levied?

UNION TOWNSHIP

 MILLAGE RENEWAL CEMETERY AND FIRE PROTECTION

 Shall the expired previous voted increases in the tax limitations imposed under Article IX, Sec. 6 of the Michigan Constitution in Union Township, of 1 mill ($1 per $1,000 of taxable value) be renewed at the original voted 1 mill ($1 per $1,000 of taxable value) and levied for 4 years, 2013 through 2016 inclusive, for the purpose of maintenance and operating the cemetery and fire protection, raising an estimated $50,828 in the first year the millage is levied?

VILLAGE OF UNION CITY

POLICE PROTECTION AND EQUIPMENT MILLAGE

 Shall the Village of Union City levy a total of 4 mills ($4.00 per $1,000) on taxable value of property located in the Village of Union City for 10 years beginning with the 2013 tax levy year and running through 2022 tax levy year (inclusive), which will raise in the first year of such tax levy an estimated revenue of $79,772 to be used for the specific purpose of continuing to operate the Village of Union City Police Department? If approved this would be a new additional millage.

BRONSON COMMUNITY SCHOOL

I.  OPERATING MILLAGE RENEWAL PROPOSAL

 This proposal will allow the school district to levy a portion of the statutory rate of 18 mills on all property, except principal residence and other property exempted by law, required for the school district to receive a portion of its revenue per pupil foundation allowance and renews millage that will expire with the 2013 tax levy.

 Shall the currently authorized millage rate limitation of 17.7264 mills ($17.7264 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation) on the amount of taxes which may be assessed against all property, except principal residence and other property exempted by law, in Bronson Community School District,  Branch and St. Joseph Counties, Michigan, be renewed for a period of 19 years, 2014 to 2032, inclusive, to provide funds for operating purposes; the estimate of the revenue the school district will collect if the millage is approved and levied in 2014 is approximately $745,351 (this is a renewal of millage which will expire with the 2013 tax levy)?

BRONSON COMMUNITY SCHOOL

II.  OPERATING MILLAGE PROPOSAL

 This proposal will allow the school district to levy a portion of the statutory rate of 18 mills on all property, except principal residence and other property exempted by law, required for the school district to receive a portion of its revenue per pupil foundation allowance.

 Shall the limitation on the amount of taxes which may be assessed against all property, except  principal residence and other property exempted by law, in Bronson Community School District,  Branch and St. Joseph Counties, Michigan, be increased by .2736 mill ($0.2736 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation) for a period of 19 years, 2014 to 2032, inclusive, to provide funds for operating purposes; the estimate of the revenue the school district will collect if the millage is approved and levied in 2014 is approximately $11,765 (this millage is to restore millage lost as a result of the reduction required by the Michigan Constitution of 1963)?

CAMDEN-FRONTIERSCHOOL DISTRICT

BONDING PROPOSAL

ShallCamden-FrontierSchool, Hillsdale andBranch Counties,Michigan, borrow the sum of not to exceed One Hundred Seventy Thousand Dollars ($170,000) and issue its general obligation unlimited tax bonds therefor, for the purpose of:

 acquiring and installing educational technology and equipping and re-equipping school facilities for educational technology?

 The following is for informational purposes only:

 The estimated millage that will be levied for the proposed bonds in 2013, is 0.5 mill ($0.50 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation).  The maximum number of years the bonds may be outstanding, exclusive of any refunding, is four (4) years.  The estimated simple average annual millage anticipated to be required to retire this bond debt is 0.50 mill ($0.50 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation).

 (Pursuant to State law, expenditure of bond proceeds must be audited, and the proceeds cannot be used for repair or maintenance costs, teacher, administrator or employee salaries, or other operating expenses.)

LITCHFIELD COMMUNITY SCHOOL

 MILLAGE RENEWAL PROPOSAL BUILDING AND SITE SINKING FUND TAX LEVY

 Shall the currently authorized millage rate of .75 mill ($0.75 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation) which may be assessed against all property in Litchfield Community Schools, Hillsdale, Jackson, Calhoun and Branch Counties, Michigan, be renewed for a period of 2 years, 2013 and 2014, inclusive, to continue to provide for a sinking fund for construction or repair of school buildings and all other purposes authorized by law; the estimate of the revenue the school district will collect if the millage is approved and levied in 2013 is approximately $79,000 (this is a renewal of millage which will expire with the 2012 tax levy)?

QUINCY COMMUNITY SCHOOL

MILLAGE RENEWAL PROPOSAL

BUILDING AND SITE SINKING FUND TAX LEVY

 Shall the limitation on the amount of taxes which may be assessed against all property in Quincy Community Schools, Branch and Hillsdale Counties, Michigan, be renewed by and the board of education be authorized to levy not to exceed 1.5 mills ($1.50 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation) for a period of 5 years, 2014 to 2018, inclusive, to continue to provide for a sinking fund for the purchase of real estate for sites for, and the construction or repair of, school buildings and all other purposes authorized by law; the estimate of the revenue the school district will collect if the millage is approved and levied in 2014 is approximately $312,348?

READING COMMUNITY SCHOOL

 I.  MILLAGE RENEWAL PROPOSAL BUILDING AND SITE SINKING FUND TAX LEVY

 Shall the currently authorized millage rate of 1.9 mills ($1.90 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation) which may be assessed against all property in Reading Community Schools, Hillsdale and Branch Counties, Michigan, be renewed for a period of 3 years, 2013, 2014 and 2015, inclusive, to continue to provide for a sinking fund for the purchase of real estate for sites for, and the construction or repair of school buildings and all other purposes authorized by law;  the estimate of the revenue the school district will collect if the millage is approved and levied in 2013 is approximately $253,771 (this is a renewal of millage which will expire with the 2012 tax levy)?

READING COMMUNITY SCHOOL

II.  OPERATING MILLAGE RENEWAL PROPOSAL

 This proposal will allow the school district to levy the statutory rate of 18 mills on all property, except principal residence and other property exempted by law, required for the school district to receive its revenue per pupil foundation allowance and renews millage that will expire with the 2013 tax levy.

Shall the currently authorized millage rate limitation of 18 mills ($18.00 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation) on the amount of taxes which may be assessed against all property, except principal residence and other property exempted by law, in Reading Community Schools, Hillsdale and Branch Counties, Michigan, be renewed for a period of 5 years, 2014 to 2018, inclusive, to provide funds for operating purposes; the estimate of the revenue the school district will collect if the millage is approved and levied in 2014 is approximately $698,161 (this is a renewal of millage which will expire with the 2013 tax levy)?

UNION CITY COMMUNITY SCHOOLS

 MILLAGE RENEWAL PROPOSAL BUILDING AND SITE SINKING FUND TAX LEVY

 Shall the currently authorized millage rate of 1 mill ($1.00 on each $1,000 of taxable valuation) which may be assessed against all property in Union City Community Schools, Branch and Calhoun Counties, Michigan, be renewed for a period of 6 years, 2013 to 2018, inclusive, to continue to provide for a sinking fund for the purchase of real estate for sites for, and the construction or repair of school buildings and all other purposes authorized by law; the estimate of the revenue the school district will collect if the millage is approved and levied in 2013 is approximately $130,000 (this is a renewal of millage which will expire with the 2012 tax levy)?