 Kevin Aherne To be? Or not to be? That is the question... but what is the answer? No on 1? Yes on 4? In the past few weeks and months, Rhode Islanders have been bombarded with ads for (and against) politicians. By this point, most of us have made up our minds as to WHO we will vote for come Tuesday, but how many of us know WHAT we will vote for. This year, Rhode Island's ballot will include 7 Ballot Questions, covering issues ranging from gambling to higher education. Voters will be asked to weigh-in, and help guide the Ocean State through its struggle to regain prominence. But, what are these issues? What does a yes (or no) vote mean? Find out all you need to know about each of the seven questions below
What happens if the questions pass or (fail)? In Rhode Island, there are three types of ballot questions:
Legislatively-Referred Constitutional Amendment A proposed constitutional amendment that appears on a state's ballot as a ballot measure because the state legislature in that state voted to put it before the voters.A legislatively-referred constitutional amendment is a limited form of direct democracy with comparison to the initiated constitutional amendment. With the initiated constitutional amendment, voters can initiate the amendment and approve it, whereas with the legislatively-referred amendment, they can only approve or reject amendments initiated by their state's legislature. 49 states have a law in place that allows citizens to vote on proposed constitutional amendments offered by the state legislature. The exception is Delaware, where the legislature alone acts on constitutional amendments. Automatic Ballot Referral a ballot measure that is set up by a state's constitution to automatically appear as a statewide ballot proposition under certain circumstances. Automatic referrals are sometimes also called compulsory referrals. Constitutional convention ballot propositions are a form of automatic ballot referral in some states whose constitutions state that every so often, a statewide ballot proposition must be placed on the general election ballot asking the voters of the state if they wish to have a constitutional convention. Bond Issue Places a question before the voters as a ballot measure, asking them to approve or deny additional proposed spending. School districts and municipalities often make most use of bond election authority, but state governments utilize bonds as well. Bonds issued by state governments and municipalities are both generally referred to as municipal bonds. Laws and regulations stipulating how and when bond issues go to a vote vary from state to state, and from locality to locality within states. State legislatures or local units of government may place such a question before the voters in their political jurisdiction because of laws that prevent the unit of government from raising taxes or spending beyond a certain level without the approval of voters, as well as laws that require voter approval for the creation of any new public debt.  On to the Questions! Question 1 (LRCA): Rhode Island Gaming at Newport Grand The measure, upon voter approval, would authorize Newport Grand to add state-operated casino gaming, such as table games, to the types of gambling it currently offers. The measure was sponsored in the Rhode Island General Assembly by Representative Marvin Abney (D-73) and Senate Majority Whip Maryellen Goodwin (D-1) as House Bill 8294 The ballot question will read: Shall an act be approved which would authorize the facility known as “Newport Grand” in the city of Newport to add state-operated casino gaming, such as table games, to the types of gambling it offers only and exclusively at the facility located at 150 Admiral Kalbfus Road, Newport? Question 2 (LRCA): Rhode Island Restriction on Gambling The measure, if approved by voters, would prohibit any changes in location of gambling in a city or town without further approval of the majority of electors. The purpose of this question is to ensure the Newport Grand casino cannot move from its current location unless the move is approved by voters via a referendum. The measure was sponsored by President of the Senate M. Teresa Paiva Weed (D-13) and Representative Marvin Abney (D-73) as House Bill 8265. The ballot question will read: Approval of the amendment to Section 22 of Article VI of the Rhode Island Constitution set forth below will provide that no change in the location of gambling permitted in a municipality would occur without the further approval of the majority of those electors voting on said proposed location change in a referendum within said municipality. Question 3 (ABR): Rhode Island Constitutional Convention If Question 3 is approved, another election would be held to select delegates to the convention. These delegates would then have the power to propose specific changes to the Rhode Island Constitution. The state constitution mandates that one delegate from each of the state's 75 representative districts be selected to attend the convention. If voters approve Question 3, members of the general assembly would be tasked with enacting legislation to determine the method of election of delegates, setting forth an election schedule and appropriating funds. The ballot question will read: Shall there be an convention to amend or revise the Constitution?  Question 4 (BI): Rhode Island Higher Education Facilities Bonds The measure, if approved by voters, would permit the issuance of up to $125 million in bonds to construct a new College of Engineering building and undertake supporting renovations. The ballot question will read: Approval of this question will allow the State of Rhode Island to issue general obligation bonds, refunding bonds, and temporary notes in an amount not to exceed one hundred twenty-five million dollars ($125,000,000) to construct a new College of Engineering building and undertake supporting renovations. The new building will anchor the northwest corner of the Engineering Quadrangle on the Kingston Campus and provide contemporary and state-of-the-art instructional and research facilities. As part of this project, outdated engineering buildings will be taken out of service and razed. Question 5 (BI): Rhode Island Creative and Cultural Economy Bonds Question The measure, if approved by voters, would approve the issuance of up to $35 million in bonds to fund capital improvement, preservation and renovation projects for public and nonprofit centers of culture and the arts, museums and historic sites. The ballot question will read: Approval of this question will authorize the State of Rhode Island to issue general obligation bonds, refunding bonds, and temporary notes in an amount not to exceed thirty-five million dollars ($35,000,000) to fund capital improvement, preservation and renovation projects for public and nonprofit artistic, performance centers, historic sites, museums and cultural art centers located throughout the State of Rhode Island, to be allotted as follows: (a) Cultural Arts and the Economy Grant Program, $30,000,000: Provides funds for 1:1 matching grants for a new Cultural Arts and the Economy Grant program to be administered by the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts for capital improvement, preservation and renovation projects for public and nonprofit artistic, performance centers and cultural art centers located throughout the State of Rhode Island. (b) State Preservation Grants Program, $5,000,000: Provide funds to cities, towns and non-profit organizations to preserve, renovate and improve public and nonprofit historic sites, museums, and cultural art centers located in historic structures in the State of Rhode Island to be administered by the Rhode Island Historical Preservation and Heritage Commission.Provide funds to cities, towns and non-profit organizations to preserve, renovate and improve public and nonprofit historic sites, museums, and cultural art centers located in historic structures in the State of Rhode Island to be administered by the Rhode Island Historical Preservation and Heritage Commission.  Question 6 (BI): Rhode Island Mass Transit Hub Infrastructure Bonds The measure, upon voter approval, would permit the state to issue $35 million in bonds to fund enhancements and renovations to mass transit hub infrastructure throughout Rhode Island. The intended purpose of the funds would be to improve access to multiple intermodal sites, key transportation, healthcare, and other locations. The funds would be provided to the Rhode Island Department of Transportation. The ballot question will read: Approval of this question will allow the State of Rhode Island to issue general obligation bonds, refunding bonds, and temporary notes in an amount not to exceed thirty-five million dollars ($35,000,000) to fund enhancements and renovations to mass transit hub infrastructure throughout the State of Rhode Island to improve access to multiple intermodal sites, key transportation, healthcare, and other locations. Question 7 (BI): Rhode Island “Clean Water, Open Space and Healthy Communities” Bonds The measure, upon voter approval, would authorize the state to issue $53 million in bonds for environmental and recreational purposes. Specifically, the bonds would be allocated for the following projects:
The ballot question will read: Approval of this question will allow the State of Rhode Island to issue general obligation bonds, refunding bonds, and temporary notes in an amount not to exceed fifty-three million dollars ($53,000,000) for environmental and recreational purposes, to be allotted as follows:
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