Election 2006
Election 2006
Know Where you Stand!
The Chamber wants you to have the election information you need. Like information on where our local candidates stand on issues that impact business. For Election 2006, we invited local candidates running for the Ann Arbor City Council, the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners and the Michigan Legislature to respond to a questionnaire. Click here to find answers from the candidates remaining in each local race. We also created www.annarborareabusinessvotes.com to help you find your voting district, look up who your candidates are or read the proposals on the ballot before you get in the voting booth. We hope these resources are helpful. If you have any questions, please email brandt@annarborchamber.org or call (734) 214-0101. And don’t forget to take the time to vote on Tuesday, November 7.
Chamber's Position on Ballot Issues
Vote "NO" on Proposal 5 - Mandated Funding for Education
The Ann Arbor Area Chamber of Commerce opposes the K-16 Coalition proposal to legally mandate inflationary increases in education funding in Michigan. Education is very important to the future economic success of the Ann Arbor area, our members and our state. However, it is inappropriate to provide automatic annual inflationary increases in education funding without requiring accountability. It is also unwise to guarantee such a funding stream without providing any out clause for special circumstances given our state’s current budget situation. To read the entire position, click here.
Vote "NO" on Proposal 4 (Eminent Domain)
The Chamber does not support this proposal because we do not believe amending the Constitution of the State of Michigan is the appropriate means to rectify deficiencies that may exist in the use of eminent domain. Although we are sensitive to public entities taking private land, this proposal will place constitutional restrictions on public entities that may be against the best interests of business and a community. To read the entire position, click here.
Vote "NO" on 2006 City of Ann Arbor Parks Millage Increase
The Ann Arbor Area Chamber of Commerce does not support the 2006 Parks Millage that will be on the ballot Tuesday, November 7. The proposal raises the millage rate for parks maintenance and capital improvements by 20%, from .91 mills to 1.1 mills. The Chamber recognizes the importance of the parks system to the quality of life and economic success of the Ann Arbor area, but we do not think a 20% increase is appropriate given current economic conditions. We do agree with many of the other aspects of this proposal and would support a renewal millage at .91 mills. To read the entire position, click here.
Proposal 2 Michigan Civil Rights Initiative
The Chamber has decided not to take a position on Proposal 2. We are providing our members with information on the issue. To read the Chamber's analysis, click here.
Why so many "Vote NO’s"?
The Chamber fully analyzes each issue separately and often meets with stakeholders on both sides of an issue to make an informed decision. This “work” is done by our Public Policy Committee, which consists of 24 Chamber members. The “decision” on where we stand is ultimately made by the Chamber Board of Directors, which is made up of 24 Chamber members. We take this process seriously and look out for the best interests of our members.
It's Time to Vote!
Even if you are voting in a few hours, you can get the information you need online:
The Chamber built this site to give businesses and their employees a place where they can get election information and find out more about candidates. We invited local candidates to answer questions about the single business tax, downtown development and other important issues. Their answers are located under ‘Local Election Resources’ on this site.
Washtenaw County has a very easy to use, informative ‘Elections’ webpage. This is where you can read what is on the ballot before you get in the ballot box, see a full list of all the candidates, and get the election results.
If you need more information on issues, then you need to visit the Citizen’s Research Council’s website. They are a non-partisan, nonprofit group that exists to help inform voters. CRC has conducted a full analysis of all 5 of the state ballot proposals you will be voting on Tuesday, November 7th (that’s right, 5). If you are pushed for time, they provide a handy summary analysis on each issue as well.
When I googled City Council Member Joan Lowenstein, who is running unopposed in the 2 Ward, I found out that she is a local attorney who is actively involved in several community organizations. I even found an interview she did on a teeter totter. Many local candidates have their own webpage. I haven’t seen any local candidates on YouTube yet, but it is only a matter of time.
Don’t forget to block off some time in your schedule on Tuesday, November 7 to cast your ballot. Nobody is too busy to vote.
