Conservative Republican and Senator Chuck Gray of District 19 usually puts out a fairly good conservative overview on the ballot measures. Here are his recommendations:

Many have requested my opinion on the ballot initiatives. That’s all this is – my opinion. Hope it helps.

Chuck Gray

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Senator Chuck Gray’s 2008 AZ Ballot Proposition Recommendations

Summary:
Vote “YES” on all 100 series
Vote “NO” on all 200 series
Vote your conscience on Prop 300

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Details of Propositions and My Recommendations:

Proposition 100 – YES
Protect Our Homes Initiative
(Stops future taxes on real property sales)
Explanation: Proposition 100 would amend the Arizona Constitution to prohibit the state or any county, city, town or other political subdivision of the state from directly or indirectly imposing any new tax, fee or other assessment on the sale, purchase, transfer or other conveyance of any interest in real property (such as homes and other real estate). This proposed measure would not affect any tax, fee or other assessment in existence prior to this year.
Recommendation = YES

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Proposition 101 – YES
Health Care Freedom of Choice
(Ensures that Arizona citizens will continue to have the right to choose their own health care plans and services. In other words Government can’t tell you where to go for health care.)
Explanation: Proposition 101 would amend the Arizona Constitution to provide that:
1. No law shall restrict your freedom to choose a private health care plan or system of their choice.
2. No law shall interfere with your right to pay directly for lawful medical services.
3. No law shall impose a penalty or fine, of any type, for choosing to obtain or decline health care coverage.
4. No law shall impose a penalty or fine, of any type, on your participation in any particular health care system or plan.
Recommendation = YES

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Proposition 102 – YES
Marriage Amendment
(Provides that only a union of one man and one woman shall be valid as a marriage in this state)
Proposition 102 would amend the Arizona Constitution to provide that only a union of one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized as a marriage in this state.
Recommendation = YES

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Proposition 105 – YES
Majority Rules Initiative
(Prop 105 would require that any ballot initiative that increases taxes, or requires a spending obligation, be approved by a majority of the registered voters in the state. This makes it tougher to pass taxes and other fee increases at the ballot.)
Explanation: Proposition 105 would amend the Arizona Constitution to provide that an initiative measure that establishes, imposes or raises a tax, a fee or other revenue or mandates a spending obligation on a private person, a labor organization, other private legal entity or this state shall not become law unless the initiative measure is approved at the election by a majority of registered voters in the state.
Recommendation = YES

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Proposition 200 – NO
Payday Loan Reform Act
(A “NO” vote will have the effect of capping interest on payday loans at 36% starting in 2010. The 36% cap will become law automatically in 2010 UNLESS Prop 200 passes. Prop 200 will stop those caps from becoming law.)
Explanation: Proposition 200 was written and put on the ballot by the Payday loan industry. The legislature refused to allow the industry to continue charging interest rates as high as 400% and in some case higher on loans after 2010. Prop 200 is the industry?s attempt to write their own law and to override the current AZ Consumer Loan Act cap of 36% APR which will begin to apply to payday loans in 2010. If passed, Prop 200 would stop future caps on payday loan interest rates.
Recommendation = NO

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Proposition 201 – NO
Home Owners Bill of Rights
(Construction is one of Arizona’s largest industries and out of state lawyers know it. They have been trying for years to more easily sue homebuilders. This makes construction in Arizona a goldmine for attorneys.)
Explanation: Prop 201 does the following:
1. Mandates a ten-year transferable warranty on all new homes.
2. Any “prospective” buyer can sue- (you don’t even need to buy a home to sue under this Act.)
3. Forbids mediation, homeowners must hire an attorney and go to court.
4. Builders will not be able to make immediate repairs, forcing buyers to court and wait years for court decisions before repairs can be made.
5. Eliminates the current “loser pays court fees” statutes, encouraging lawyers to go to court and making them the only winners in the process.
6. Too many other negatives to list.
Recommendation = NO

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Proposition 202 – NO
The “Stop Illegal Hiring Act”
(It’s deceptively named – It would gut the current Arizona Employer Sanctions Law and make it almost impossible to stop illegal hiring through prosecution by state officials.)
Explanation: Prop 202 does the following:
1. Prop 202 requires Arizona to wait until the Federal Government has taken action against an employer before the state takes action.
2. Exempts thousands of Arizona employers by requiring Arizona officials to use of the same Federal standards of proof that have not worked in the past.
3. It eliminates the “Silent Witness” portion of the current law. All complaints regarding employer illegal hiring must be written and signed. This stops employees from reporting violations anonymously.
4. It imposes an impossible standard of proof. High-level managers who are not officers or owners could hire illegal aliens with impunity, and would not face any enforcement.
Recommendation = NO

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Proposition 300
Legislative Salary Recommendation to increase Legislator salaries from $24,000 to $30,000
(Putbon the ballot by a commission NOT by the legislature.)
Recommendation = N/A