Voters across America will be considering ballot initiatives on Election Day in November 2021. The Council for Citizens Against Government Waste (CCAGW) has taken a position in favor of the following measures:

Budget

Colorado Amendment 78
CCAGW Position: Support

Under current Colorado law, the power to appropriate revenue not gained through taxes lies in the hands of the state treasurer.  The decision on how to spend money received from the federal government through COVID-19-related legislation and other federal laws in addition to all other revenue that is not generated from taxes can therefore be made solely by the executive branch without any input or control by the General Assembly.  If approved, Amendment 78 would transfer this power from the treasurer to the General Assembly, giving taxpayers more control over the use of these funds.

Sports Betting

New Jersey Public Question 1
CCAGW Position: Support

Following the Supreme Court’s 2018 ruling in Murphy v. NCAA allowing states to legalize sports betting, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy signed Assembly Bill 4111 into law.  The new law allowed residents of New Jersey to place bets on most sporting events.  Under the state constitution, however, New Jerseyans were barred from placing bets on college events that took place in the state or involved New Jersey-based college teams.  Public Question 1 asks residents the following: “Do you approve amending the Constitution to permit wagering through casinos and current or former horse racetracks on all college sport or athletic events?”

Taxes

Louisiana Amendment 2
CCAGW Position: Support

On November 13, the people of Louisiana will vote on Amendment 2.  If passed, the amendment would decrease the state’s maximum tax rate from 6 percent to 4.75 percent