Author: Brandon McCauley
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Colorado legislature refers measure to November ballot that would allow state to retain excess tax revenue above TABOR cap to fund K-12 education
The Colorado General Assembly referred a state statute to the Nov. 3, 2026, ballot that would allow the state to retain and spend revenue collected above constitutional limits to fund K-12 education programs and operating costs. Legislators passed the statute on May 12, 2026. Senate Bill 135 Introduced as Senate Bill 135 (SB 135) on…
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Louisiana state legislature certifies two measures related to homestead tax exemptions for surviving spouses of deceased veterans and changing property tax limits for the 2026 ballot
The Louisiana State Legislature approved two constitutional amendments related to property taxes for the Nov. 3, 2026, statewide general election ballot. Legislators passed both amendments on May 11, 2026. In Louisiana, a two-thirds (66.67%) vote is required during a single session to place a constitutional amendment on the ballot. That amounts to a minimum of…
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Hawaii constitutional amendment on resilient infrastructure for shelter and equity (RISE) bonds referred to November 2026 ballot
The Hawaii State Legislature referred a constitutional amendment to the Nov. 3, 2026, statewide general election ballot that would authorize counties and other local governments to issue resilient infrastructure for shelter and equity bonds, also known as RISE bonds. Legislators approved the amendment on May 6, 2026, sending it to voters for consideration. The ballot…
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Louisiana legislature certifies the first ballot measures for 2027, addressing supreme court's authority over disciplinary proceedings against attorneys from other jurisdictions
The Louisiana State Legislature approved a constitutional amendment regarding the state supreme court's authority over disciplinary proceedings against attorneys from other jurisdictions for the April 17, 2027, statewide primary election ballot. Legislators passed the amendment on May 6, 2026. The amendment is the first measure to make the ballot in anystate for 2027. Senate Bill…
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Signatures submitted for California initiative enacting one-time billionaire tax for healthcare and education funding
In California, signatures were submitted on April 27 to the secretary of state for a ballot initiative known as the billionaire tax that would impose a one-time, 5% tax on individuals whose net worth exceeds $1 billion to fund state health care programs, such as Medi-Cal, state food assistance, and public education. SEIU-UHW West, a…
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Legislatures in 12 states set to adjourn in May as lawmakers consider at least 60 potential legislative ballot measures
Legislatures in 12 states—Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Minnesota, Missouri, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Vermont—are set to adjourn in May 2026. In the coming weeks, lawmakers in these states will decide whether to advance measures to the statewide ballot. Across these states, at least 60 potential ballot measures have already completed at least…
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Oklahoma voters to decide constitutional amendment changing Judicial Nominating Commission structure on Nov. 3, 2026
The Oklahoma State Legislature referred a constitutional amendment related to the nomination of judges within the state to the Nov. 3, 2026, statewide general election ballot. On April 9, 2026, legislators passed the amendment, which would change the structure of the state's Judicial Nominating Commission. The ballot measure would restructure the Judicial Nominating Commission, which…
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Alabama voters to decide constitutional amendment establishing a process for the consolidation of county school boards into multi-county boards
The Alabama State Legislature referred a constitutional amendment related to the consolidation of school districts to the Nov. 3, 2026, statewide general election ballot. On April 8, legislators passed the amendment, which would establish a process for two or more public county school boards to combine into a single, multi-county board of education. The ballot…
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Alabama voters to decide constitutional amendment requiring elections to fill lieutenant governor vacancies
The Alabama State Legislature referred a constitutional amendment related to the election of the lieutenant governor to the Nov. 3, 2026, statewide general election ballot. On April 2, legislators passed the amendment, which would require an election for lieutenant governor if a vacancy occurs more than 60 days before the next general election. The ballot…
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Washington voters decided on eight ballot measures related to personal income taxes
Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson (D) signed Senate Bill 6346 (SB 6346) on March 30, 2026, which imposes a 9.9% tax on household income above $1 million beginning in 2028. The legislation follows decades of ballot measures regarding personal income taxes in Washington. Voters have decided on eight ballot measures related to a personal income tax,…