Pubdate: Mon, 23 Jun 2008 Source: Detroit News (MI) Copyright: 2008, The Detroit News Contact: http://detnews.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/126 Author: Mark Hornbeck, Detroit News Lansing Bureau Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Marijuana - Medicinal) FEW ISSUES TO MAKE IT ON BALLOT Medical Marijuana Is In, With Stem Cell Research and Government Reform Questions Likely. Michigan voters, who once faced a daunting list of potential ballot questions this November, may decide only a handful of issues after all. The deadline for turning in 380,000-plus petition signatures is only a couple of weeks away and, of the 10 ballot committees that launched campaigns, only a few remain active. Ballot watchers say just two or three are likely to make it to the finish line. A massive government reform proposal -- which would slash pay for elected officials, reorganize the Legislature and the judiciary and enact election law changes -- stands a chance of going before voters. Mysterious backers of this wholesale constitutional revamping have been operating below the radar for months, only recently surfacing as the July 7 deadline for submitting petition signatures draws near. By all accounts, a proposal to lift the state ban on embryonic stem cell research will draw the necessary petition signatures for a spot on the general election ballot, and there will be a lively public debate over the constitutional change this summer and fall. And an initiative that would change the law to permit the use of marijuana for certain medical reasons is already headed for the ballot. Other petition drives -- including a universal health care plan, a couple of part-time Legislature proposals and a so-called fair tax plan -- are considered long shots. "We're looking at two, possibly three ballot questions," said Robert LaBrant, general counsel of the Michigan Chamber of Commerce and a state elections expert. "Medical marijuana is on, stem cell probably will qualify and the rewrite of the Michigan Constitution I would give some possibility of success. The others are dead." LaBrant said money talks on ballot petition drives because paying firms to gather signatures is pricey. Only those with big-time financial backing make the ballot, with few exceptions. "When was the last time you saw a real volunteer effort get on the ballot, other than proposals backed by Right to Life and the Michigan Catholic Conference?" he asked. Here's a look at the main ballot proposals still out there: . Reform Michigan Government Now! This effort stayed low-profile because backers did not submit petitions to the Board of State Canvassers for approval as is the standard practice. The board's official stamp is not legally required, but most petitioners go that route to minimize the risk that courts may later find petition forms lacking. This proposal would involve myriad reforms, including cutting pay for the governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state and attorney general and reducing the number of members in the House and Senate. The plan is supported by the state Democratic Party, which says it makes needed reforms at a time when citizens say government is broken. It is opposed by Republicans, who say many of the changes are window dressing on an attempt by Democrats to boot conservative judges off the high courts. It's not yet apparent who is financing the campaign, which is paying a California firm to collect petition signatures. Republicans suspect trial lawyers and Kalamazoo Democratic sugar daddy Jon Stryker. Both deny involvement, although the lawyers' group is looking at endorsing the proposal. The ballot committee does not file financial information until August. Former Democratic legislator Dianne Byrum is the spokeswoman for the campaign, and she declines to reveal where the group is getting its money. Campaign documents say Harland Nye of Hastings, a government reform advocate, is the founder of the ballot effort. But he now says he's not involved. "If you ask me, it's a sneaky, stealth attempt to steal our courts and our Constitution by some liberal Democrats," says Republican Party Chairman Saul Anuzis on a YouTube video slamming the proposal. Byrum says the group intends to collect the required signatures by the deadline. "This proposal represents real change. These are concepts that have been out there for decades," she said. . Stem cell research. This constitutional amendment would strike the ban on embryonic stem cell research, which is now restricted to existing stem cell lines imported from other states. Backers say Michigan's strict laws put this state at a disadvantage for important biomedical research and jobs associated with it. Detractors say it's immoral to kill embryos to use the cells for research. The ballot committee has been paying a Brighton firm to gather signatures and is confident of qualifying for the ballot. "We fully anticipate turning in the required number of signatures and a sizable cushion by the deadline," said Mark Burton, campaign director. Voter approval is not a slam dunk. The ballot proposal is opposed by the influential Michigan Right to Life and the Michigan Catholic Conference, which boast thousands of committed foot soldiers to fight against the issue over the next several months. . Medical marijuana. Backers have gathered the necessary signatures, and the proposal has been placed on the ballot by the Board of State Canvassers. The plan would make Michigan the 13th state to legalize medical marijuana for the treatment of a host of health problems such as HIV/AIDS, cancer, hepatitis C and Alzheimer's disease upon the recommendation of a doctor. A March statewide poll showed two-thirds of voters support it. Meanwhile, backers of a petition drive calling for mandatory universal health care in the state say they're uncertain whether they're on target to collect enough signatures and will decide the fate of the campaign within a week. Advocates of a part-time Legislature have said they're not likely to meet the signature requirements. Supporters of the fair tax, which would replace an array of state taxes with a higher sales tax, say they have enough petitions out to reach their goal, but they're uncertain how many will be returned. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake