This Publication Available in Alternate Formats
The 1996 Publicity Pamphlet is available in alternate
formats. Arizona residents who need information about the 1996
ballot propositions in another format should contact the Election
Division of the Secretary of State's office at 602/542-8683 or
800/458-5842 or TDD 602/255-8683.
Voter Registration Assistance
Arizona residents who need assistance with registering
to vote should contact the appropriate county recorder at the
number listed on the inside back cover.
Arizona residents may register to vote by mail.
Forms are available at government offices and public locations
throughout the state. Forms may be requested from the county
recorder.
Accessibility for Voters
County election officials will accommodate special
needs of voters who are physically unable to go to the polls or
who need special access or special voting aids at polling places.
Arizona residents who need assistance with voting should contact
the appropriate county election department at the number listed
on the inside back cover.
Proposition # Page #
100 An Amendment to the Arizona Constitution referred by the Legislature
to allow the Legislature to specify effective dates for some laws .. 5
Ballot Format
10
101 An Amendment to the Arizona Constitution referred by the Legislature
to allow the Legislature to exempt some property from taxation 11
Ballot Format
18
102 An Amendment to the Arizona Constitution by Initiative Petition to allow
enactment of laws governing jurisdiction over juveniles . .19
Ballot Format
27
200 Proposing an act by Initiative Petition relating to Arizona's laws on
controlled substances and those convicted of personal use or possession
of controlled substances ..28
Ballot Format
..
.40
201 Proposing an act by Initiative Petition relating to the use of uniform gaming
compacts between Arizona and Indian tribes .. 41
Ballot Format
..45
202 Proposing an act by Initiative Petition relating to voter approval of tax
levies by county stadium districts ..46
Ballot Format
..49
203 Proposing an act by Initiative Petition relating to allocation of lottery
revenues for health programs and to eligibility for AHCCCS 50
Ballot Format
..54
300 Recommendation by the Commission on Salaries for Elected State Officers
to increase the salaries of Legislators ..55
Ballot Format
..57
A VOTER'S GUIDE, LISTING ALL THE BALLOT PROPOSITIONS WITH SPACES
TO MARK YOUR CHOICES, IS ON THE BACK COVER OF THIS PUBLICITY PAMPHLET.
In this pamphlet, proposed additions to Arizona's
Constitution or laws are shown in CAPITAL LETTERS.
Proposed deletions to Arizona's Constitution or
laws are shown by strikeouts.
At the time this pamphlet was printed, the verification
of initiative petition signatures by the county recorders was
not yet complete. It is possible that not all five of the propositions
proposed by Initiative Petition will be on the General Election
ballot on November 5, 1996. For information about which propositions
will be on the November ballot, contact the election department
in your county.
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO
THE CONSTITUTION OF ARIZONA; AMENDING ARTICLE IV, PART 1, SECTION
1 AND ARTICLE IX, SECTION 22, CONSTITUTION OF ARIZONA; RELATING
TO EFFECTIVE DATES OF LEGISLATIVE ENACTMENTS.
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives of the State of Arizona, the Senate concurring:
1. Article IV, part 1, section 1, Constitution of Arizona, is proposed to be amended as follows if approved by the voters and on proclamation of the Governor:
1. Legislative authority; initiative and referendum
Section 1. (1) [Senate; house of representatives; reservation of power to people] The legislative authority of the state shall be vested in the legislature, consisting of a senate and a house of representatives, but the people reserve the power to propose laws and amendments to the constitution and to enact or reject such laws and amendments at the polls, independently of the legislature; and they also reserve, for use at their own option, the power to approve or reject at the polls any act, or item, section, or part of any act, of the legislature.
2. Article IX, section 22, Constitution of Arizona, is proposed to be amended as follows if approved by the voters and on proclamation of the Governor:
Section 22.
Vote required to increase state revenues; application; exceptions
Section 22. (A) An act that provides for a net
increase in state revenues, as described in subsection (B) OF
THIS SECTION, is effective on the affirmative vote of twothirds
of the members of each house of the legislature. If the act receives
such an affirmative vote, it becomes effective immediately
on the signature of the governor
IN THE SAME MANNER AS AN EMERGENCY LAW as provided by article
IV, part 1, section 1. If the governor vetoes the measure, it
shall not become effective unless it is approved by an affirmative
vote of threefourths of the members of each house of the
legislature.
describing the requirements for enactment prescribed by this section.
3. The Secretary of State shall submit this proposition
to the voters at the next general election as provided by article
XXI, Constitution of Arizona.
| House - - Ayes, 51 | Senate - - Ayes, 25 |
| Nays, 6 | Nays, 4 |
| Not Voting, 3 | Not Voting, 1 |
Legislative enactments are not normally effective
for 90 days after the close of the legislative session. The 90-day
delay does not apply in the case of (1) emergency laws, (2) laws
that appropriate money for the "support and maintenance"
of state agencies and institutions and (3) laws that increase
taxes and fees. The Arizona Constitution provides that those
three kinds of laws become effective immediately when the Governor
signs the law into effect. Proposition 100 would amend the Arizona
Constitution to give the Legislature the option of designating
other effective dates for these three kinds of laws beside the
date the Governor signs them.
No! No! No! No!
Hold on to your wallets! The Arizona State Legislature is asking you to let them grab your hard-earned cash whenever they want.
We have always been able to say, "No way!" whenever they got too greedy. But Proposition 100 will rip out of our Arizona Constitution the cherished right of citizens to approve or reject, by referendum, any non-emergency law passed by the Legislature.
Emergency legislation has always been exempt from referendum -- provided the Legislature explains precisely what the emergency justification for their action is.
Under Proposition 100, all laws that increase tax revenues, with or without emergency justification, will be exempt from the people's referendum process. The Legislature can then shear their sheep at will.
To add insult to injury, this measure also removes the requirement for the Legislature to explain the precise reasons for emergency legislation. They need only wink and say, "Trust us, it's an emergency," and the people are immediately barred from taking action by referendum to stop them.
This insult is brought to you by your elected Republican and Democrat legislators, who voted 51-6 (3 not voting) in the House, and 25-4 (one not voting) in the Senate, to try to slip Proposition 100 past you.
We trust that Arizona voters will respond to the insult and avoid the injury by defeating Proposition 100 soundly.
The fundamental principle of American government is the consent of the governed. Never give up your right to say "yes" or "no" to your government.
Vote "NO." For more information about
this position, or any other ballot item, please visit http://www.getnet.com/~gfallon/96ballot.html.
| Kent B. Van Cleave
Libertarian Candidate for State Representative District 25 Phoenix | Gary Fallon
Libertarian Candidate for State Representative District 24 Phoenix | Robert Anderson
Libertarian Candidate for U.S. Congress District 6 Phoenix |
| John Williams
Libertarian Candidate for State Senate District 25 Phoenix | Scott Grainger
Libertarian Candidate for State Representative District 21 Mesa | Joe Susnjara
Libertarian Candidate for State Representative District 19 Phoenix |
| Ernest Hancock
Libertarian Candidate for State Representative District 18 Phoenix | Rickie Duncan
Libertarian Candidate for State Senate District 20 Phoenix | Maricopa County
Libertarian Party Steering Committee Mesa |
| Donna Hancock
Libertarian Candidate for State Senate District 18 Phoenix | John Wilde
Libertarian Candidate for State Representative District 20 Phoenix | Ted Louis Glenn
Libertarian Candidate for Pima County Supervisor District 4 Tucson |
BALLOT FORMAT
OFFICIAL TITLE
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 2003
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION OF ARIZONA; AMENDING ARTICLE IV, PART 1, SECTION 1 AND ARTICLE IX, SECTION 22, CONSTITUTION OF ARIZONA; RELATING TO EFFECTIVE DATES OF LEGISLATIVE ENACTMENTS.
DESCRIPTIVE TITLE
AMENDING ARIZONA CONSTITUTION TO ALLOW THE LEGISLATURE TO SPECIFY EFFECTIVE DATES FOR LAWS THAT ARE PASSED AS AN EMERGENCY, THAT APPROPRIATE MONEY FOR THE SUPPORT AND MAINTENANCE OF STATE AGENCIES AND INSTITUTIONS, AND THAT INCREASE TAXES AND FEES, INSTEAD OF BECOMING EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY UPON THE GOVERNOR'S SIGNATURE.
| A "yes" vote shall have the effect of allowing the legislature to select effective dates for laws passed as an emergency, that appropriate money for the support and maintenance of state agencies and institutions and that increase taxes and fees, that otherwise would go into effect on the date the Governor signs the bill. | YES |
| A "no" vote shall have the effect of retaining the current constitutional provisions that the three types of laws go into effect on the date the Governor signs the bill. | NO |
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO
THE CONSTITUTION OF ARIZONA; AMENDING ARTICLE IX, SECTION 2,CONSTITUTION
OF ARIZONA; RELATING TO PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTIONS.
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives of the State of Arizona, the Senate concurring:
1. Article IX, section 2, Constitution of Arizona, is proposed to be amended as follows if approved by the voters and on proclamation of the Governor:
2. Property subject to taxation; exemptions
Section 2. (1) There shall be exempt from taxation all federal, state, county and municipal property.
(2) (7)There
shall be further exempt from taxation the property of each honorably
discharged airman, soldier, sailor, United States marine, member
of revenue marine service, the coast guard, nurse corps or of
any predecessor or of the component of auxiliary of any thereof,
resident of this state, in the amount of:
No such exemption shall be made for such person unless such person shall have served at least sixty days in the military or naval service of the United States during World War I or prior wars and shall have been a resident of this state prior to September 1, 1945.
(3) (8) There
shall be further exempt from taxation as herein provided the property
of each honorably discharged airman, soldier, sailor, United States
marine, member of revenue marine service, the coast guard, nurse
corps or of any predecessor or of the component of auxiliary of
any thereof, resident of this state, where such person has a serviceconnected
disability as determined by the United States veterans administration
or its successor. No such exemption shall be made for such person
unless he shall have been a resident of this state prior to September
1, 1945 or unless such person shall have been a resident of this
state for at least four years prior to his original entry into
service as an airman, soldier, sailor, United States marine, member
of revenue marine service, the coast guard, nurse corps or of
any predecessor or of the component of auxiliary of any thereof.
The property of such person having a compensable serviceconnected
disability exempt from taxation as herein provided shall be determined
as follows:
(a) If such person's service-connected disability as determined by the United States veterans administration or its successor is sixty per cent or less, the property of such person exempt from taxation shall be determined by such person's percentage of disability multiplied by the assessment of such person in the amount of:
(b) If such person's service-connected disability as determined by the United States veterans administration or its successor is more than sixty per cent, the property of such person exempt from taxation shall be in the amount of:
(4) (9) There
shall be further exempt from taxation the property of each honorably
discharged airman, soldier, sailor, United States marine, member
of revenue marine service, the coast guard, nurse corps or of
any predecessor or of the component of auxiliary of any thereof,
resident of this state, where such person has a nonservice-connected
total and permanent disability, physical or mental, as so certified
by the United States veterans administration, or its successor,
or such other certification as provided by law, in the amount
of:
No such exemption shall be made for such person unless he shall have served at least sixty days in the military or naval service of the United States during time of war after World War I and shall have been a resident of this state prior to September 1, 1945.
(5) (10) There
shall be further exempt from taxation the property of each widow,
resident of this state, in the amount of:
1. (a) One
thousand five hundred dollars if the total assessment of such
widow does not exceed three thousand five hundred dollars.
2. (b) One
thousand dollars if the total assessment of such widow does not
exceed four thousand dollars.
3. (c) Five
hundred dollars if the total assessment of such widow does not
exceed four thousand five hundred dollars.
4. (d) Two
hundred fifty dollars if the total assessment of such widow does
not exceed five thousand dollars.
5. (e)No exemption
if the total assessment of such widow exceeds five thousand dollars.
In order to qualify for this exemption, the income from all sources of such widow, together with the income from all sources of all children of such widow residing with the widow in her residence in the year immediately preceding the year for which such widow applies for this exemption, shall not exceed:
Such widow shall have resided with her last spouse in this state at the time of the spouse's death if she was not a widow and a resident of this state prior to January 1, 1969.
(11) No property shall be exempt which has been
conveyed to evade taxation. The total exemption from taxation
granted to the property owned by a person who qualifies for any
exemption in accordance with the terms of subsections (2),
(3), (4), or (5) (7), (8), (9) OR
(10) shall not exceed one thousand five hundred dollars. The
provisions of this section shall be selfexecuting.
(6) (12) All
property in the state not exempt under the laws of the United
States or under this constitution or exempt by law under the provisions
of this section shall be subject to taxation to be ascertained
as provided by law.
2. The Secretary of State shall submit this proposition
to the voters at the next general election as provided by Article
XXI, Constitution of Arizona.
| House - - Ayes, 58 | Senate - - Ayes, 26 |
| Nays, 0 | Nays, 3 |
| Not Voting, 2 | Not Voting, 1 |
The Arizona Constitution provides that all property in Arizona is subject to property taxation unless it is specifically exempted from tax as authorized by the Constitution.
Proposition 101 would amend the Arizona Constitution to allow the Legislature to exempt from taxation the first $50,000 of "full cash value" of a taxpayer's "personal property" if it is used in agriculture or in a trade or business. The Legislature could also increase the exempt amount above $50,000 according to changes in a national inflation index, such as the consumer price index.
Under current Arizona law, the first $50,000 of full cash value of a taxpayer's personal property is taxed based on a 1% assessment ratio. Assessment ratios on property range from 1% to 100%.
"Full cash value" refers to the market value of property unless a specific formula for valuing property for tax purposes is set out in law.
"Personal property" refers to property that is not part of real estate and includes such things as machinery, equipment and store fixtures.
Proposition 101 could affect the tax revenue and
property tax rates of the state, counties, cities and towns, school
districts, community college districts and other governmental
entities that rely on property taxes, but the exemptions would
not be automatic on passage of this proposition. The actual effect
would depend on how the Legislature enacted the exemptions within
the authority and limits of this proposition.
Imagine paying a yearly tax on your television, sofa, and kitchen table. Well, that's what every business in Arizona is required to do when it pays personal property taxes. Of all the taxes paid by Arizona business, the state personal property tax hits them the hardest. This is because the personal property tax liability is higher than in most other states, and the method of calculating and paying the tax is a red-tape administrative nightmare for small business owners. The personal property tax is applied to everything from file cabinets, computers, and cash registers to heavy machinery used in manufacturing and farming. It doesn't matter that they paid a sales tax on the computer when it was purchased. Business owners still must pay a yearly property tax for the right to use their computer in their business each year. Homeowners, thankfully, do not pay personal property tax.
Proposition 101 is good for small family-owned businesses because it exempts the first $50,000 in personal property from this archaic tax. The Department of Revenue estimated that 87 percent of all businesses in Arizona have less than $50,000 in taxable personal property tax. This means passing Proposition 101 relieves most businesses from paying this annual tax, saves them the time of filling out numerous forms and allows them to focus on their businesses.
Proposition 101 has a minimal impact on state revenue
collections because over the past few years the Legislature has
reduced the personal property tax burden on small businesses as
much as it can, absent a change in the Constitution. Voting "yes"
on Proposition 101 provides the permanent relief small businesses
need from this form of double taxation and helps those businesses
grow and create new jobs in our state.
Larry Chesley
State Senator
Gilbert
Help reduce personal property taxes for Arizona's small businessmen and women, farmers and ranchers. And reduce the cost for county government by voting YES on Proposition 101. Proposition 101 exempts $50,000 of personal property from taxation.
This tax is costly. Keeping the county assessor's list up-to-date on small personal property items is a cost to me, the taxpayer. The time the county assessor spends in maintaining these records is costly to us, the county taxpayers.
Just like we do not have personal property taxes on our home furniture, computers and lawn mowers, we should remove the tax on similar items for small businesses.
Support Proposition 101.
| Ken Evans, President
Arizona Farm Bureau Federation Yuma | Andy G. Kurtz, Secretary and Chief Administrative Officer
Arizona Farm Bureau Federation Phoenix |
Vote YES on Proposition 101 if you want to see a small part of Arizona's broken property tax system fixed! Residents, and business and community leaders agree that Arizona's property tax system is in dire need of repair. It is complex and inefficient. Now voters have a chance to correct at least a part of it.
In 1994, the Legislature decreased the assessment ratio for business and agricultural taxpayers to 1% from 25% on the first $50,000 worth of personal property.
Now, Proposition 101 will allow the state Legislature to entirely relieve the state's small businesses from paying taxes on the first $50,000 worth of personal property as well as eliminate the burdensome paperwork involved in filing a personal property tax return.
The proposition also will end the inefficient government practice of sending out tax bills for insignificant amounts.
Small business is a key contributor to the state's economic health. Proposition 101 will relieve small firms from the time-intensive process of filling a personal property tax return and give them more time to run their businesses!
Vote YES on Proposition 101.
| Valerie Manning, President & CEO | Jay Ruffner, Chairman of the Board |
| Phoenix Chamber of Commerce
Phoenix | Phoenix Chamber of Commerce
Phoenix |
So how much do you suppose it COSTS a county to issue personal property tax bills for 70¢ or $3.52 or $4.50? Those are actual personal property tax amounts billed to our businesses in the past two years. They are service businesses, like thousands of others, operating with desks, chairs, computers, copiers and faxes.
As small business owners, we understand the need to manage our personal time and financial resources as efficiently as possible. There are no sales, service, accounting or personnel departments to take care of the various aspects of our operations - we each wear those different hats at one time or another. That fact makes us even more aware of inefficiencies elsewhere - particularly in government which makes demands on business owners that cannot be ignored.
The issuance of tax assessments at these small amounts cannot be a revenue generating proposition for Arizona's counties. They're paying people, using equipment and materials and paying for postage. Up to some level of assessment, counties have to be losing money in this exercise.
Not to mention the nuisance of using a small business owner's valuable time to fill out forms and write a 70¢ check.
Arizona's Constitution says all property must be taxed unless the people modify that provision. It's our government. Let's try to make it a smidge more efficient.
Vote YES on Proposition 101.
| TJ Taub, Principal
Southwest Public Relations Associates Tempe | Bill Meek, Principal
Southwest Public Relations Associates Phoenix |
I strongly support the authorization to exempt the first $50,000 of business personal property tax as proposed in Proposition 101.
As a small business owner, for over 20 years now, I've felt the tax and regulatory burdens. They take a toll on the energy, time and resources of a small business owner.
The personal property tax is confusing and inequitable. Taxed items stay on the tax role indefinitely even though they have fully depreciated and may well be obsolete. And it's difficult to decipher the reporting form!
Proposition 101 represents a significant positive impact for small businesses and our state economy. Hats off to those trying to relieve small business of this burden.
Please join me in voting yes.
George Kirk, President Lois Jean Kirk, Secretary
Kirk Development Company Kirk Development Company
Phoenix Phoenix
Arizona's current personal property tax generates revenue by taxing business equipment, machinery and store fixtures using an assessment ratio. Arizona's personal property tax places an inequitable financial burden on manufacturers that are capital intense and hinders the existing companies from expanding. If a new company locates in our state, property taxes can be negotiated as an incentive for bringing new jobs and business expansion to our state. The existing companies carry the burden of our taxes and discourages investments in capital equipment limiting the ability of the state's manufacturers to grow and generate wealth through new jobs creation.
Proposition 101 is the first step to fix a fundamentally obsolete tax policy by exempting from taxation the first $50,000 of "full cash value" of taxpayer's "personal property" if used in agriculture or in a trade or business. For small companies and our state government, this will eliminate the requirement of mailing and filing small dollar personal property tax liability with negligible financial impact to the state.
The financial impact of this reduction to Apex Manufacturing, Inc. (a contract aerospace company) is negligible due to our high capital investment. A yes vote clearly sets the stage for future improvements to modify the complex system and inefficient manner in which the property tax system is managed. The restructuring of the property tax system will help build our manufacturing base from existing businesses as well as winning new major capital-intensive manufacturing businesses.
Vote YES on Proposition 101.
Bill Reitz, CEO Jay Berens, President
Apex Manufacturing, Inc. Apex Manufacturing, Inc.
Scottsdale Scottsdale
Vote "NO."
Libertarian principles demand that all citizens be treated equally, and that no special groups be created by government -- as Proposition 101 attempts to do.
We do want property tax reductions -- for all citizens, not just a select few. But that would only be a start. The Libertarian Party is the only party in Arizona that supported and endorsed the Property Tax Repeal Initiative that narrowly missed being on this ballot.
Property is an inalienable right. No one should have to "rent" their property from the government.
Proposition 101 isn't property tax reform, it's special favors for special interests.
Vote "NO" on 101.
For more information about this position, or any
other ballot item, please visit http://www.getnet.com/~gfallon/96ballot.html.
| Kent B. Van Cleave
Libertarian Candidate for State Representative District 25 Phoenix | Gary Fallon
Libertarian Candidate for State Representative District 24 Phoenix | Robert Anderson
Libertarian Candidate for U.S. Congress District 6 Phoenix |
| John Williams
Libertarian Candidate for State Senate District 25 Phoenix | Scott Grainger
Libertarian Candidate for State Representative District 21 Mesa | Maricopa County
Libertarian Party Steering Committee Mesa |
| Ernest Hancock
Libertarian Candidate for State Representative District 18 Phoenix | Rickie Duncan
Libertarian Candidate for State Senate District 20 Phoenix | Ted Louis Glenn
Libertarian Candidate for Pima County Supervisor District 4 Tucson |
| Donna Hancock
Libertarian Candidate for State Senate District 18 Phoenix | John Wilde
Libertarian Candidate for State Representative District 20 Phoenix |
BALLOT FORMAT
OFFICIAL TITLE
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 2003
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION OF ARIZONA; AMENDING ARTICLE IX, SECTION 2, CONSTITUTION OF ARIZONA; RELATING TO PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTIONS.
DESCRIPTIVE TITLE:
AMENDING ARIZONA CONSTITUTION TO ALLOW LEGISLATURE TO EXEMPT FROM TAXATION THE FIRST FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS OF THE VALUE OF PERSONAL PROPERTY THAT IS USED FOR AGRICULTURE PURPOSES OR IN A TRADE OR BUSINESS; ALLOWING THE LEGISLATURE TO INCREASE THE EXEMPT AMOUNT BASED ON A NATIONAL INFLATION INDEX.
| A "yes" vote shall have the effect of allowing the legislature to provide a tax exemption of up to $50,000 for personal property used in agriculture, a trade or business, and allows the legislature to change the exempt amount based on a national inflation index. | YES |
| A "no" vote shall have the effect of retaining the current constitutional provision for taxation of all property. | NO |
PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION OF ARIZONA;
AMENDING ARTICLE IV, PART 2, CONSTITUTION OF ARIZONA, BY ADDING
SECTION 22; REPEALING ARTICLE VI, SECTION 15, CONSTITUTION OF
ARIZONA; AND AMENDING ARTICLE VI, CONSTITUTION OF ARIZONA, BY
ADDING A NEW SECTION 15; RELATING TO THE JUDICIAL DEPARTMENT IN
JUVENILE PROCEEDINGS.
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Arizona:
The Constitution of Arizona is proposed to be amended as follows If approved by a majority of the qualified electors voting thereon and on proclamation of the Governor:
Section 1. Article IV, part 2, Constitution of Arizona, is amended by adding section 22, to read:
22. JUVENILE JUSTICE; CERTAIN CHRONIC AND VIOLENT JUVENILE OFFENDERS PROSECUTED AS ADULTS COMMUNITY ALTERNATIVES FOR CERTAIN JUVENILE OFFENDERS; PUBLIC PROCEEDINGS AND RECORDS
SECTION 22. IN ORDER TO PRESERVE AND PROTECT THE RIGHT OF THE PEOPLE TO JUSTICE AND PUBLIC SAFETY, AND TO ENSURE FAIRNESS AND ACCOUNTABILITY WHEN JUVENILES ENGAGE IN UNLAWFUL CONDUCT, THE LEGISLATURE, OR THE PEOPLE BY INITIATIVE OR REFERENDUM, SHALL HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO ENACT SUBSTANTIVE AND PROCEDURAL LAWS REGARDING ALL PROCEEDINGS AND MATTERS AFFECTING SUCH JUVENILES. THE FOLLOWING RIGHTS, DUTIES, AND POWERS SHALL GOVERN SUCH PROCEEDINGS AND MATTERS:
1. JUVENILES 15 YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER ACCUSED OF MURDER, FORCIBLE SEXUAL ASSAULT, ARMED ROBBERY OR OTHER VIOLENT FELONY OFFENSES AS DEFINED BY STATUTE SHALL BE PROSECUTED AS ADULTS. JUVENILES 15 YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER WHO ARE CHRONIC FELONY OFFENDERS AS DEFINED BY STATUTE SHALL BE PROSECUTED AS ADULTS. UPON CONVICTION ALL SUCH JUVENILES SHALL BE SUBJECT TO THE SAME LAWS AS ADULTS, EXCEPT AS SPECIFICALLY PROVIDED BY STATUTE AND BY ARTICLE 22, SECTION 16 OF THIS CONSTITUTION. ALL OTHER JUVENILES ACCUSED OF UNLAWFUL CONDUCT SHALL BE PROSECUTED AS PROVIDED BY LAW. EVERY JUVENILE CONVICTED OF OR FOUND RESPONSIBLE FOR UNLAWFUL CONDUCT SHALL MAKE PROMPT RESTITUTION TO ANY VICTIMS OF SUCH CONDUCT FOR THEIR INJURY OR LOSS.
2. COUNTY ATTORNEYS SHALL HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO DEFER THE PROSECUTION OF JUVENILES WHO ARE NOT ACCUSED OF VIOLENT OFFENSES AND WHO ARE NOT CHRONIC FELONY OFFENDERS AS DEFINED BY STATUTE AND TO ESTABLISH COMMUNITY-BASED ALTERNATIVES FOR RESOLVING MATTERS INVOLVING SUCH JUVENILES.
3. ALL PROCEEDINGS AND MATTERS INVOLVING JUVENILES ACCUSED OF UNLAWFUL CONDUCT SHALL BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC AND ALL RECORDS OF THOSE PROCEEDINGS SHALL BE PUBLIC RECORDS. EXCEPTIONS SHALL BE MADE ONLY FOR THE PROTECTION OF THE PRIVACY OF INNOCENT VICTIMS OF CRIME, OR WHEN A COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION FINDS A CLEAR PUBLIC INTEREST IN CONFIDENTIALITY.
Section 2. Article VI, section 15, Constitution of Arizona, is repealed.
§15. Superior
Court; proceedings affecting children
Section 15. The superior
court shall have exclusive original jurisdiction in all proceedings
and matters affecting dependent, neglected, incorrigible or delinquent
children, or children accused of crime, under the age of eighteen
years. The judges shall hold examinations in chambers for all
such children concerning whom proceedings are brought, in advance
of any criminal prosecution of such children, and may, in their
discretion, suspend criminal prosecution of such children. The
powers of the judges to control such children shall be as provided
by law.
Section 3. Article VI, section 15, Constitution of Arizona, is amended by adding a new Section 15, to read:
15. JURISDICTION AND AUTHORITY IN JUVENILE PROCEEDINGS
SECTION 15. THE JURISDICTION AND AUTHORITY OF THE
COURTS OF THIS STATE IN ALL PROCEEDINGS AND MATTERS AFFECTING
JUVENILES SHALL BE AS PROVIDED BY THE LEGISLATURE OR THE PEOPLE
BY INITIATIVE OR REFERENDUM.
Article VI, section 15, Constitution of Arizona, gives the Superior Court exclusive original jurisdiction in all proceedings and matters affecting juveniles. Under the Constitution, judges can decide whether to suspend the prosecution of a juvenile for a criminal offense. Proposition 102 would amend the Constitution by repealing Article VI, section 15 and by allowing the Legislature to limit the power of the courts to suspend the prosecution of a juvenile and by limiting the jurisdiction of the courts to those juvenile matters that are provided by the Legislature or the people. The Supreme Court and Superior Court would continue to have jurisdiction over juveniles, including dependent juveniles, pursuant to other existing laws unless those laws are amended by the Legislature or the people at some future time.
Currently, a juvenile may be prosecuted as an adult for a criminal offense only if the County Attorney requests that the juvenile be transferred to the Superior Court for criminal prosecution and the court grants the request for transfer. Under Proposition 102 juveniles who are 15 years of age or older and who are accused of murder, rape or armed robbery would be prosecuted as adults. Juveniles who are 15 years of age or older and who are accused of other violent crimes or who are chronic offenders would also be prosecuted as adults. Proposition 102 would allow the Legislature to determine the range of punishment for juvenile offenders, so that the Legislature could decide that some adult sentences don't apply to juveniles who are prosecuted as adults. Under Proposition 102, all juveniles who are convicted of a criminal offense or who are found responsible for unlawful conduct would be required to make prompt restitution to their victims.
Proposition 102 would allow county attorneys to establish community based alternatives for dealing with less serious juvenile offenders.
Proposition 102 would open to the public certain
records and proceedings of juveniles who are accused of unlawful
conduct that are now confidential. Juvenile records or proceedings
could be closed only to protect the privacy of innocent victims
of crime or if a court finds a clear public interest in confidentiality.
I urge every Arizonan who cares about children and crime prevention to vote "no" on the Stop Juvenile Crime Initiative backed by Governor Fife Symington.
The courts already have the power under current law to transfer juveniles to adult court on a case-by-case basis and statistics show that serious offenders are already treated in the adult system in most cases.
This initiative will take away that discretion and automatically refer some children to an adult court system which is overcrowded. Instead of tougher penalties, many of these juveniles will plea bargain and receive less jail time or probation instead of tough juvenile prison sentences and rehabilitation services. The children who do serve time in adult prisons will come back to our neighborhoods hardened criminals when they are released.
The Symington initiative will also remove the Constitutional jurisdiction of the courts to review actions by the state government to prevent abuses in areas like child protection, dependency and other matters related to children. Knowing the state government's dismal history in children's issues, I think that this shift in power is a horrible idea.
This initiative is more about public relations and political posturing than crime prevention. The Governor has worked diligently against more sensible juvenile justice reform proposals and seems interested only in taking advantage of this emotionally charged issue and deflecting attention from his own political problems.
He shouldn't play politics at the expense of troubled youth, many from minority families, who are already struggling to beat the streets and become productive citizens. Minority children are disproportionately represented in the juvenile court system and this initiative targets them for unnecessarily harsh treatment instead of fairness, job training, education and rehabilitation services.
This initiative is a bad idea. Vote "no"
on the Governor's Stop Juvenile Crime Initiative.
Sandra D. Kennedy
State Senator
Phoenix
The statewide, bipartisan Committee for Juvenile Justice Reform strongly urges you to note "No" on Proposition 102.
This is not to say that we are not concerned about the growing problem of teenage crime. We are. Our committee largely consists of the very people who have to deal with teenage crime on a daily basis: Prosecutors, judges, police officers, crime victims, and others involved in law enforcement.
Nobody understands the need to solve the teenage crime problem more than they do. And they understand that Proposition 102, the Symington system, will not "stop" juvenile crime.
The reality is that violent teenage criminals are routinely being tried in adult courts today and our courts are tougher on juveniles than virtually any other state in the nation.
Proposition 102 is not needed.
So, why did Governor Symington propose this initiative?
It has nothing to do with teenage criminals. It has everything to do with raw political power.
Buried in the fine print of Proposition 102, is the repeal of Article 6, Section 15 of our Arizona Constitution. But Symington never talks about that.
Why?
The answer is clear: Proposition 102 is a political power-play of immense proportions. Article 6, Section 15 says that our courts will have authority over children under age 18. Not just criminals, but ALL children. Dependent, abused and neglected children.
By eliminating Article 6, Section 15, Proposition 102 kicks the door open to allow state government bureaucrats, instead of judges, to make critical decision about those children. Imagine Child Protective Services making those decisions. Imagine a faceless bureaucrat deciding critical custody issues.
That is what Proposition 102 is all about: Grabbing authority away from our judges and prosecutors and giving it to state bureaucrats.
We urge you to vote "No" on Proposition
102.
Paul Eckstein, Chairman Brian de Vallance, Treasurer
Committee for Juvenile Justice Reform Committee for Juvenile Justice
Phoenix Phoenix
Rose Mofford Grant Woods
Phoenix Attorney General
Tempe
Committee for Juvenile Justice Reform: Paul Eckstein,
Chairman
I strongly oppose the Symington Juvenile Justice Initiative. As Maricopa County Attorney, I prosecute more than twenty thousand juvenile crime cases each year. Some have asked, if that's the case, why is a tough prosecutor such as myself opposed to the Governor's Initiative which, at first blush, seems to get really tough on violent juvenile offenders? The answer is simple and direct. I oppose the Governor's Initiative because it does not get tough enough on juvenile offenders, and it fails to reduce juvenile crime. In addition, Governor Symington's Initiative has a significant major basic flaw which undermines effective law enforcement.
By singling out juvenile offenders over age fifteen for automatic transfer to adult court, the Governor ignores those violent murderers, rapists and robbers who are under the age of fifteen. All the experts agree that violent offenses are being committed by younger and younger offenders. Legal experts, including Presiding Juvenile Judge John Foreman, have stated that by limiting transfer to adult court to those over fifteen, the law makes impossible the transfer to adult court of anybody under the age of fifteen. In other words, the Governor's Initiative may legally prevent any transfer to adult court of fourteen year-old violent and repetitive juvenile offenders, even if they deserve to be tried in adult court. Defense lawyers are already anticipating the loophole if the Initiative is approved.
This Initiative does not basically reform the juvenile
justice system, it merely provides attractive window dressing
which creates the imagery of reform without substance. We can
do better, we must do better, we will do better. I urge all voters
in Maricopa County to vote NO on Proposition 102
Richard M. Romley
Maricopa County Attorney
Scottsdale
As victim advocates and co-founders of We the People we come to you with a most important message on Proposition 102.
We the People is an organization that is dedicated to protecting the rights of victims. Having been a part of successfully changing the Arizona Constitution to include the Victims Bill of Rights, our organization realizes the importance and significance of amending a document as important as our state constitution.
First and foremost, when asking the voters to approve a constitutional amendment, telling the truth must be paramount! Proposition 102, the Governor's juvenile justice initiative is deliberately misleading and deceptive. The proponents of Proposition 102 are using the voters justified fear of the growing juvenile crime problem to eradicate the Juvenile Court System.
The truth is Proposition 102 does nothing to protect you from juvenile crime. Proposition 102 will increase the number of plea bargains and will also allow accused juvenile rapists, murderers and child molesters to be free on bail, thus roaming our streets creating more havoc. Child victims of abuse, neglect or custody disputes will no longer be protected by the juvenile courts.
As victim advocates we implore you to fully understand all the ramifications of Proposition 102 and to not fall for the devious tactics the proponents are using. Do not allow them to exploit your fears or mislead you.
Proposition 102 is a very dangerous initiative that
is designed to do away with the juvenile court system as we know
it. Judicial authority will be taken away and given to the Executive
branch of government thus creating more bureaucracies. This initiative
is truly frightening. Vote NO on Proposition 102. Please help
protect innocent victims and preserve our rights under our state
constitution.
Karen Duffy Judi Montcalm
Tucson Tucson
Children's Action Alliance (CAA) opposes Proposition 102. Proposition 102 will not stop juvenile crime. There are three flaws in the proposition:
No focus on prevention: Children who commit heinous crimes should be incarcerated. But, research in Arizona and throughout the country proves that the best way to stop juvenile crime is to take action before any crime is committed. Poverty, drugs, child abuse, school failure and the lack of constructive activities for youth are major factors contributing to juvenile crime. Proposition 102 does nothing to change these factors or to prevent juvenile crime.
No evidence that prosecuting all juveniles as adults works: An examination of Arizona juveniles prosecuted as adults in 1994 found that over 60% received some form of probation - not prison. A Florida study found that juveniles prosecuted as adults were more likely to commit additional crimes than juveniles kept in juvenile court. Treating juvenile criminals like adult criminals does not cut crime.
Wipes out constitutional protections for abused and neglected children and their families: Proposition 102 repeals Article 6, Section 15 of the Arizona Constitution. This section guarantees court protection for abused and neglected children and court involvement in child custody cases. Without this guarantee, decisions about child custody and taking children from their parents because of abuse or neglect could be handed to overwhelmed state government officials or neighborhood councils with no expertise. This alteration of the constitution means there may be no more judicial checks and balances over state employees and politicians.
Proposition 102 does nothing to stop juvenile crime
but it does eliminate constitutional protections for children
and families. We urge you to vote no on Proposition 102.
Win Holden Dan Schweiker
Publisher and Editor-in-Chief CEP, China Mist Tea Corporation
Phoenix Magazine Vice President
President, CAA Board of Directors CAA Board of Directors
Mesa Scottsdale
Arizona citizens should say no to Proposition 102.
This proposal purports to make life rough on young criminals.
It won't. What is being touted as a "get tough" plan
will likely result in shorter sentences with no mandated education
or community restitution program. We will be providing through
this plan the very situation most convicts seek: easy time. A
judge's discretion to demand education and community restitution
from young offenders is critical. We should exact no less from
those who choose to commit violence against others in this state.
Say no to an easy way out. Please join me in voting no on Proposition
102.
Lisa Graham Keegan
Superintendent of Public Instruction
Peoria
The Arizona Women Lawyers Association opposes Proposition 102 because it would gut the juvenile justice system in the name of "reform". In truth, it would repeal the constitutional safeguard which, since statehood, has vested the superior courts with exclusive, original jurisdiction over juvenile matters. This would leave Arizona's families, and abused, neglected and dependent children vulnerable to the unchecked power of state administrative bureaucracies, like CPS and DES, unconstrained by judicial oversight.
Proposition 102 is not a solution for juvenile crime. It does not provide any money for juvenile detention facilities, placements, drug rehabilitation, or training programs, even though the present facilities and programs are full. Moreover, many of the "reforms" included in the proposition are already being done. For example, the courts are ordering restitution to crime victims now; juveniles accused of violent offenses are being transferred to adult court in appropriate cases now; delinquency hearings and files are open now; and, the courts and county attorneys are working on developing community-based committees for resolving lesser offenses involving juveniles now. This is being accomplished without destroying the important checks and balances provided by our independent judiciary, and without eliminating case-by-case professional judgment in areas where discretion serves the interests of justice and our community.
Please vote no on Proposition 102, for the good
of our families, our community, our children, and the administration
of justice.
Helen Perry Grimwood Cheri L. McCracken
President-Elect Treasurer
Phoenix Phoenix
The Arizona Council of Centers for Children and Adults respectfully urges Arizona Voters to VOTE NO on Proposition 102, Governor Symington's Juvenile Justice Initiative.
ACCCA is a state-wide
organization of community based providers of Prevention, Intervention
and Treatment services for children and adults.
Richard E. Geasland, CISW Maria Hoffman
Member, ACCCA Board of Directors Executive Director, ACCCA
Co-Chair, Juvenile Justice Committee Fountain Hills
Phoenix
This initiative measure is deceiving. It won't stop or reduce juvenile crime by forcing juveniles charged with serious offenses to be transferred to adult court. Through the exercise of juvenile court judges' discretion this almost always occurs now. This measure would give our legislature the power to set up non-judicial executive agencies to handle all problem children in Arizona - neglected and dependent, as well as delinquent children - without the supervision of Superior Court judges.
After 30 years of being a judge, I can tell you that I would rather have a trained impartial judicial officer making decisions regarding our children, basing those decisions on evidence and what is truly in the best interest of the children, rather than bureaucrats or political hacks making those decisions motivated by political expediency.
If people think that the legislature can do a better
job of running the juvenile justice system than the courts, why
is it that the legislature has allowed the number of secure juvenile
detention beds in Arizona, the only place judges can sentence
truly dangerous juveniles, be reduced from 900 in 1962 to less
than 500 in 1995? That in itself, in my opinion, has been a significant
cause in the increase of juvenile crime in Arizona - violators
know that the state doesn't have enough facilities to keep them
for more than 60 days. What kind of a threat is that? Not much.
I, and every judge I know, am opposed to this initiative.
Frank X. Gordon, Jr.
Former Chief Justice of Arizona
Phoenix
Parents And Children Together (PACT) opposes the Juvenile Justice Reform Initiative for the following reasons: The initiative is meaningless. There is no validity to sentencing juveniles as adult offenders if there is no place to detain them. Statistics indicate that those juveniles who have been sentenced as adults in Arizona have, in fact, served less time than those offenders tried as juveniles.
The initiative seriously undermines Superior Court authority over proceedings affecting children NOT involved in the criminal justice system. The Governor's initiative will result in the repeal of Article 6, Section 15 of the Arizona Constitution. This article provides that the Superior Court shall have exclusive jurisdiction over all proceedings and matters affecting dependent, neglected, and delinquent children or children accused of a crime under the age of 18 years. In short, it repeals a constitutional provision and steps outside the area of criminal prosecution and adversely affects the ability of the Superior Court to deal with dependent, neglected, incorrigible, or delinquent children.
Perhaps the most serious issue which this initiative
impacts is that involving decisions of parental custody for those
parents who are, indeed, deserving of the constitutional guarantee
of Superior Court oversight. Without this oversight, state agencies
such as the Department of Economic Security (DES) could have the
authority to unilaterally decide issues affecting families without
the guarantee of an impartial hearing. The Courts have a role
to play in protecting the rights of Arizona's children. If this
initiative passes that CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT WILL BE ELIMINATED.
Regina Murphy-Darling Stanley L. Baxter
Chief Executive Officer Chief Operations Officer
Tucson Sahuarita
As members of the Arizona State Legislature we strongly urge you to vote "No" on the Symington Initiative.
During extensive hearings on reforming Arizona's juvenile justice system so that it will be tougher on teenage criminals, we reached strong bipartisan agreement on a reform plan that would protect honest citizens from these juvenile criminals. Working with leaders in law enforcement, the people who have to deal with these problems every day, we rejected the Symington plan for one reason:
It will not stop juvenile crime.
Frankly, despite all of Governor Symington's talk, the Symington Initiative is not tough enough. If approved, the Symington Initiative would create a system that will become a dream come true for defense lawyers and violent teenagers younger than age 15.
The 14 year old who commits a violent crime would not be moved to adult court for a tough sentence. That is why we favor a reform plan that focused on the behavior of the juvenile, not their age.
But the Symington Initiative is even more dangerous than that. Not only is it not tough enough on teenage criminals, it is too tough on innocent children who are victims of crime - children who are abused, neglected, or abandoned.
The Symington Initiative would transfer authority over these innocent children from the courts to the governor and his administration. The result is that unelected bureaucrats would be making decisions about these children, quite possibly including decisions involving child custody.
We want the violent kids, of any age, locked up. And we want the innocent victims of child abuse and neglect protected from state bureaucrats.
The Symington Initiative fails both of these tests.
It is time to say "No" to the Symington
Initiative. Vote "No" on Proposition 102.
Tom Smith Susan Gerard
State Representative State Representative
Phoenix Phoenix
BALLOT FORMAT
OFFICIAL TITLE
PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION OF ARIZONA; AMENDING ARTICLE IV, PART 2, CONSTITUTION OF ARIZONA, BY ADDING SECTION 22; REPEALING ARTICLE VI, SECTION 15, CONSTITUTION OF ARIZONA; AND AMENDING ARTICLE VI, CONSTITUTION OF ARIZONA, BY ADDING A NEW SECTION 15; RELATING TO THE JUDICIAL DEPARTMENT IN JUVENILE PROCEEDINGS.
DESCRIPTIVE TITLE
AMENDING ARIZONA CONSTITUTION TO: MANDATE ADULT PROSECUTION AT AGE FIFTEEN FOR MURDER, FORCIBLE SEXUAL ASSAULT OR ARMED ROBBERY; ALLOW ALTERNATIVES FOR OTHER JUVENILES; REPEAL COURT'S SOLE DISCRETION TO SUSPEND PROSECUTION OF JUVENILES ACCUSED OF CRIME; REPEAL COURT'S SOLE JURISDICTION OVER JUVENILES; MAKE JUVENILE OFFENDERS' RECORDS AND PROCEEDINGS PUBLIC, WITH EXCEPTIONS.
| A "yes" vote shall have the effect of mandating adult prosecution at age 15 for murder, forcible sexual assault or armed robbery; repealing the court's discretion to suspend prosecution of juveniles accused of crime, allowing enactment of laws by the legislature or the people governing all matters affecting juveniles; repealing the court's sole jurisdiction over juveniles. | YES |
| A "no" vote shall have the effect of retaining the current constitutional provisions giving the courts sole jurisdiction over all matters affecting juveniles and the power to suspend the prosecution of any juvenile accused of crime. | NO |
AMENDING TITLE 13, TITLE 41, AND TITLE 42, OF THE
ARIZONA REVISED STATUTES; AMENDING TITLE 41, CHAPTER 11, BY ADDING
§41-1604.16; RELATING TO ESTABLISHMENT OF THE ARIZONA PARENTS
COMMISSION ON DRUG EDUCATION AND PREVENTION; AMENDING TITLE 41,
CHAPTER 11, BY ADDING §41-1604.14; RELATING TO PERSONS NOT
ELIGIBLE FOR PAROLE; AMENDING TITLE 13, CHAPTER 13, BY AMENDING
§13-3412 AND ADDING §13-3412.01; RELATING TO PERMISSIBLE
USE OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES BY SERIOUSLY ILL OR TERMINALLY ILL
PATIENTS; AMENDING TITLE 41, CHAPTER 11, BY ADDING §41-1604.15
AND AMENDING TITLE 31, CHAPTER 3, BY ADDING §31-411.01; RELATING
TO PAROLE FOR PERSONS CONVICTED OF PERSONAL POSSESSION OR USE
OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES; AMENDING TITLE 13, CHAPTER 9, BY ADDING
§13-901.01; RELATING TO PROBATION FOR PERSONS CONVICTED OF
PERSONAL POSSESSION OR USE OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES AND BY ADDING
§13-901.02; RELATING TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE DRUG TREATMENT
AND EDUCATION FUND; AND AMENDING TITLE 42, CHAPTER 12, BY ADDING
§42-1204.01; RELATING TO LUXURY PRIVILEGE TAXES; AND PROVIDING
FOR SEVERABILITY.
Be it enacted by the people of the State of Arizona: The following amendments are proposed to become valid when approved by a majority of the qualified electors voting thereon and upon proclamation pursuant thereto by the Governor of the State of Arizona.
Section 1. TITLE
THIS ACT SHALL BE KNOWN AND MAY BE CITED AS THE "DRUG MEDICALIZATION, PREVENTION, AND CONTROL ACT OF 1996."
Section 2. FINDINGS AND DECLARATIONS
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF ARIZONA FIND AND DECLARE THE FOLLOWING:
Section 3. PURPOSE AND INTENT
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF ARIZONA DECLARE THEIR PURPOSES TO BE AS FOLLOWS:
Section 4.
Title 41, Chapter 11, Arizona Revised Statutes, is
amended by adding §41-1604.16 to read as follows:
§41-1604.16. ARIZONA PARENTS COMMISSION ON DRUG EDUCATION AND PREVENTION.
Section 5.
Title 41, Chapter 11, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended by adding §41-1604.14 to read as follows:
§4l-1604.14. PAROLE NONELIGIBILITY; VIOLENT CRIME; INFLUENCE OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE; DEFINITION
Section 6.
Title 13, Chapter 13, §13-3412, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended as follows:
§13-3412. Exceptions and exemptions; burden of proof; privileged communications.
Section7.
Title 13, Chapter 13, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended by adding §13-3412.01 to read as follows:
§13-3412.01. PRESCRIBING CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES INCLUDED IN SCHEDULE I OF §36-2512 FOR SERIOUSLY ILL AND TERMINALLY ILL PATIENTS
Section 8.
Title 41, Chapter 11, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended by adding §4l-1604.15 to read as follows:
§41-1604.15. PAROLE ELIGIBILITY FOR PERSONS PREVIOUSLY CONVICTED OF PERSONAL POSSESSION OR USE OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE
Section 9.
Title 31, Chapter 3, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended by adding §31-411.01 to read as follows:
§31-411.01. PAROLE FOR PERSONS PREVIOUSLY CONVICTED OF PERSONAL POSSESSION OR USE OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE; TREATMENT; PREVENTION; EDUCATION; TERMINATION OF PAROLE
Section 10.
Title 13, Chapter 9, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended by adding §13-901.01 to read as follows:
§13-901.01. PROBATION FOR PERSONS CONVICTED OF PERSONAL POSSESSION AND USE OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES; TREATMENT; PREVENTION; EDUCATION
Section 11.
Title 13, Chapter 9, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended by adding §13-901.02 to read as follows:
§13-901.02. DRUG TREATMENT AND EDUCATION FUND
Section 12.
Title 42, Chapter 12 is amended by adding §42-1204.01 as follows:
§42-1204.01. LUXURY PRIVILEGES TAX; PURPOSE; DRUG TREATMENT AND EDUCATION FUND; DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS REVOLVING FUND
Section 13. Severability
If any provision of this Act, or part thereof, is
for any reason held to be invalid or unconstitutional, the remaining
sections shall not be affected but shall remain in full force
and effect, and to this end the provisions of the Act are severable.
Proposition 200 would require that certain persons who are convicted of drug offenses be sentenced as follows:
1. Require that persons who commit violent crimes while under the influence of drugs serve 100% of their sentences, without eligibility for parole.
2. Require that persons who have been convicted before the proposition passes of the personal possession or use of a controlled substance such as marijuana and who are serving their sentence in prison be released on parole. A person is released on parole after serving time in jail or prison, is under the supervision of a parole officer and may have his parole revoked if any condition of parole is violated. The State Department of Corrections would be required to establish a procedure for paroling these persons. The Board of Executive Clemency would be required to release these persons unless the Board determines that a person would be a danger to the general public. Persons who are released on parole would be required to participate in drug treatment or education.
3. Require that persons who are convicted after the proposition passes of the personal possession or use of a controlled substance such as marijuana be eligible for probation. A person who is sentenced to probation does not serve any time in jail or prison, is under the supervision of a probation officer and remains free as long as the person continues his good behavior. A person on probation would be required to participate in a drug treatment or education program.
Proposition 200 would allow medical doctors to prescribe a controlled substance such as marijuana to treat a disease or to relieve the pain and suffering of a seriously or terminally ill patient. The doctor must be able to document that scientific research supports the use of the controlled substance and must obtain a written opinion from a second doctor that prescribing the controlled substance is appropriate. A patient who receives, possesses or uses a controlled substance as prescribed by a doctor would not be subject to criminal penalties.
Proposition 200 would establish the Drug Treatment and Education Fund. These monies would come from a percentage of the luxury tax on alcohol, cigarettes and other tobacco products. 50% of these monies would be transferred to Superior Court probation departments to cover the costs of placing persons in drug education and treatment programs. The remaining 50% of the monies would be transferred to the Arizona Parents Commission on Drug Education and Prevention.
Proposition 200 would establish an Arizona Parents
Commission on Drug Education and Prevention. The Commission
would be responsible for funding programs that increase and enhance
parental involvement in drug education and treatment.
During my service in the Reagan Administration, I was able to participate directly in their efforts to reduce the size of government. This philosophy has broad appeal today and politicians of both parties are searching for ways to make government more efficient.
However, one area that politicians seem reluctant to examine is that of our failed drug policies. We are spending billions for prisons to incarcerate low level drug users. In the federal prison system, 61 percent of the inmates are in for drug offenses. Of the drug offenders serving in state prisons, 38 percent of them are in for simple drug possession. Nationally, the cost to build a new prison bed averages $40,000 and the cost to maintain it averages $30,000 per year.
The results would be different if prison was a disincentive to using drugs. But most wardens say that it is impossible to eradicate drugs from the prison system. A friend of mine in law enforcement once told me that the prisoners would take the "do drugs, do time" bumper stickers and slice them in half to more accurately read "do time, do drugs." HBO recently issued a documentary which featured veteran prisoners in the prison teaching younger prisoners how to manufacture methamphetamine.
I am supporting the Drug Medicalization, Prevention,
and Control Act because I believe we must reform our drug policy.
The Act mandates that first and second time offenders convicted
of simple possession or use will receive treatment and probation
as an alternative to incarceration. Treatments costs 1/8 of the
cost of prison time and is certain to have a better result than
incarceration during which many addicts continue to use drugs
at public expense. Most importantly, the money saved on the prison
spending can be invested in drug prevention for our youth.
John Norton
Former U. S. Deputy Secretary of Agriculture
Chairman, Arizonans for Drug Reform
Paradise Valley
When John Kennedy was elected President, he asked Stewart Udall, Congressman from Tucson, to be his Secretary of the Interior. Stewart brought a small cadre of Arizonans to work for him in Washington. I was lucky enough to be in the group--as Special Assistant to the Solicitor.
Young people serving in the Kennedy Administration met twice a month in an informal group called the New Frontier Club. I remember at one meeting having an extensive discussion about our drug laws. There was general consensus that the criminalization of narcotic drug use was not working -- just as prohibition didn't work. We were concerned that the Government was spending a lot of money and the situation was only getting worse. I thought that the laws would be reformed soon since their failure was so obvious. That was 34 years ago!
Today, the failed drug war continues. At the state level drug control spending is over $16 billion with 80% going to the criminal justice system, and 20% to education and treatment. We need to reverse these priorities so that we spend at least the same amount on treatment and education to what we spend on enforcement and prisons.
The Drug Medicalization, Prevention, and Control Act seeks to equalize the spending on treatment and education. Rather than wasting money on prison for minor drug users, the Act invests in treatment for users and prevention for our youth.
There is strong evidence that this approach will
be more effective. A Rand Corporation study in 1994 found that
treatment is much more effective than enforcement and prisons
in reducing cocaine use. It is time to adopt rational, cost-effective
measures that deal with drugs in ways that benefit rather than
harm society.
Marvin S. Cohen
Former Chairman, Civil Aeronautics Board
Treasurer, Arizonans for Drug Policy Reform\
Phoenix
Marijuana has been known for decades to help in treating the terminally and seriously ill patient. Because of the value of marijuana as a drug, the American Medical Association vigorously opposed the Marijuana Tax Act of 1937 which made it impossible for doctors to prescribe this drug for their patients. Modern research shows marijuana helps cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy; treats glaucoma; prevents convulsions; arrests severe muscle spasms in patients with neuromuscular disorders; stimulates appetite in AIDS patients. Last year the American Public Health Association urged the "Administration and Congress to move expeditiously to make cannabis available as a legal medicine where shown to be safe and effective." In 1988, the Drug Enforcement Agency's own administrative law judge, Francis L. Young, declared marijuana fulfilled the legal requirement of currently accepted medical use in treatment, adding it was "one of the safest therapeutically active substances known to man."
Yet today, doctors still cannot help patients for whom all other medicines have failed and marijuana may have scientifically-proven benefit. The edicts that tie their hands are not passed down by physicians or research scientists, but by government bureaucrats and political appointees.
The Drug Medicalization, Prevention and Control Act of 1996 lets doctors help their seriously and terminally ill patients for whom all other options have failed, by prescribing marijuana as a medical therapy in those situations. It does this judiciously and responsibly. The prescribing doctor must obtain a second physician's opinion. Prescription and drug use must follow accepted medical standards under the purview of the Arizona Board of Medical Examiners. There must be documented scientific evidence of potential benefit.
The Drug Medicalization, Prevention and Control Act
of 1996 is a moderate, well-reasoned proposal that enhances the
physician's ability to help suffering patients. It deserves our
strong support.
| Jeffrey A. Singer, MD, FACS
Phoenix | William J. Rice, MD
Phoenix | Mark R. Mathews, MD
Scottsdale |
| Ross Levatter, MD
Phoenix | Walter Koppenbrink, MD
Paradise Valley | Charles Goldstein, MD, DIP.ABEM
Paradise Valley |
| Jeffrey D. Steier, MD
Paradise Valley | Linda B. Benaderet, DO, FACOI
Phoenix | Thomas J. McNaughton, MD Phoenix |
| Tali Arik, MD, FACC, FACP
Scottsdale | Guy M. Kezirian, MD, FACS
Scottsdale | Michael Lubin, MD
Phoenix |
| Barbara J. Merz, MD
Phoenix | Lawrence Liebmann, MD
Phoenix | James T. Carver, PhD
Phoenix |
| Raymond C. Malone, MD
Green Valley | Joel E. Colley, MD
Scottsdale | David L. Elliott, MD
Phoenix |
| Mark L. Williams, MD
Scottsdale | Charles T. Williams, MD
Phoenix |
As a former prosecutor and U.S. Senator, I have spent my life fighting against drugs. I am supporting the Drug Medicalization, Prevention, and Control Act because it will help strengthen Arizona's drug control.
By placing small, personal drug users into treatment and probation, the Act will clear up prison space for violent criminals and drug dealers. The Act also creates a Parents Commission on Drug Education and Prevention. This Commission will seek more drug education for parents and greater parental involvement in drug prevention.
The Act requires violent drug offenders to serve 100 percent of their sentence and has a three-strikes-and-you're-o