Michigan Proposals 1-6 fail

LANSING, Mich. (AP) - Voters have rejected all six proposals that made the statewide ballot, five of which would have amended the Michigan Constitution.

Proposal 1 would have secured the controversial Emergency Manager law. Proposals 2 through 6 would have amended the state Constitution in some way.

"The people of Michigan are saying, 'Hands off our Constitution,'" Lt. Gov. Brian Calley told 24 Hour News 8 Tuesday evening.

Sen. Debbie Stabenow told 24 Hour News 8 Tuesday evening that concern over changing the Constitution led to the defeat of Proposals 2 through 6.

Proposal 1

Now that Michigan voters rejected the Emergency Manager Law, the cities and school districts that have an emergency manager, such as Muskegon Heights, will may now have to reconsider how they move forward.

If passed, the proposal would have kept the law that allowed state-appointed managers to dismiss local elected leaders and negate union contracts in municipalities and school districts deemed to be in fiscal emergencies.

The vote is a blow to Republican Gov. Rick Snyder, who championed the law and argued the state must be able help Michigan's struggling areas. Snyder has so far appointed managers in five cities and three school districts.

The proposal was too close to call until early Wednesday morning.

Proposal 2

Michigan voters have opted not to guarantee union collective bargaining rights in the state's constitution.

Voters on Tuesday defeated a ballot measure that would have given public and private workers a constitutional right to organize and bargain through labor unions. It would have nullified current or future laws limiting workers' ability to unionize and bargain.

Opponents of the measure, including the pro-business Hands Off Our Constitution, contended it would make union leaders more powerful than elected officials and erase government's ability to set employment terms and control budgets.

Supporters of the measure, including the union-backed Protect Our Jobs, say they fear Michigan's Republican lawmakers eventually will push for right-to-work legislation barring unions from collecting mandatory dues from workers. GOP Gov. Rick Snyder has said he doesn't intend to do so.

Proposal 3

Michigan voters have rejected a ballot initiative that would have ordered utilities to produce 25 percent of their electricity from renewable sources by 2025.

The requirement would have been added to the state constitution, preventing legislators from overturning it. Proposal 3 called for companies to generate more power from wind, solar, biomass and hydropower.

Its defeat followed a vigorous campaign, with both sides accusing each other of misstating what it would do.

Supporters included environmental groups and renewable energy companies. They say it would have created 100,000 jobs, protected the environment and put Michigan in the forefront of a fast-growing industry.

Opponents say the measure was unrealistic and would sock ratepayers with high costs. They say the issue should be debated in the Legislature, not added to the constitution.

Proposal 4

Michigan voters have turned down a measure that would have allowed in-home health care workers to unionize.

Voters defeated the measure Tuesday that would have amended the state constitution to afford the workers limited collective bargaining rights.

It called for additional training for care workers and the creation of a registry of those who passed background checks. It also would have provided financial services to help patients manage in-home care costs.

Supporters say the measure would have improved the quality of and access to care for the disabled.

Gov. Rick Snyder and other Republicans opposed the measure, saying its real purpose was to provide for collection of union dues from home health workers after GOP lawmakers outlawed the dues collection earlier this year.

Proposal 5

Michigan voters have rejected a ballot proposal requiring a two-thirds vote of House and Senate lawmakers to raise state taxes.

Voters on Tuesday rejected the initiative that would have prevented the state from raising more money for roads, schools and other programs unless a so-called supermajority of lawmakers agreed.

Supporters argued that requiring a two-thirds vote would have stabilized the tax environment and helped the economy. Critics countered it would have created obstacles for future Legislatures and forced cuts to education, roads and public safety.

Republican Gov. Rick Snyder opposed Proposal 5. It was one of six on the ballot and among five that sought to amend the Michigan Constitution.

The measure also was among several challenged all the way to the Michigan Supreme Court.

Proposal 6

Michigan voters say they don't need to weigh in on whether new bridges or tunnels are built between their state and Canada.

Voters on Tuesday defeated a ballot measure that called for a statewide vote on plans for any new international crossing.

The proposal was engineered by Manuel "Matty" Moroun,