PETITION DRIVES COULD LEAD TO PACKED BALLOT

Michigan's November 2008 ballot could become a bit more crowded,
possibly including proposals to provide universal health care
coverage and allow marijuana use for medical purposes.

Those proposals, among others, took procedural steps forward
Wednesday with action by a state elections panel.

Other possible petition drives in the works would create a part-time
Legislature in Michigan and require a statewide vote to raise certain
taxes, a proposal that also could repeal tax increases put in place this year.

Most of the proposals are in preliminary stages. In most cases,
organizers still have to collect the more than 380,000 valid
signatures required to put proposals to change the state constitution
before voters.

The most advanced proposal is backed by the Coalition for
Compassionate Care, which wants to follow the lead of a dozen other
states and legalize marijuana for medical purposes. The group has
submitted an estimated 496,000 signatures to state elections officials.

The Board of State Canvassers will establish an exact deadline to
challenge those signatures once elections officials finish reviewing
a sample of the petitions early next year. If 304,101 signatures are
valid, the proposal would first go the Legislature. If lawmakers
don't approve it, the proposal would go to voters.

The initiative would allow qualified, seriously ill patients to use
and grow a limited amount of marijuana for medical purposes upon the
recommendation of a doctor.

Health Care Coverage

Another proposal would require the Legislature to pass laws to ensure
that every Michigan citizen has affordable and comprehensive health
care coverage.

The still-growing coalition, called Health Care for Michigan,
includes the AARP.

Steve Gools, the AARP's director in Michigan, said the measure could
prompt the Legislature to move on health care reform.

Some members of the group say more coverage could be provided for
Michigan's uninsured by spending the money now going toward health
care more wisely.

"The system is falling apart as we watch it," said Gary Benjamin, an
attorney and a spokesman for the group. "No one is doing very much to fix it."

An estimated 850,000 to 1 million Michigan residents are uninsured.

The proposal concerns business groups who worry about the potential
cost for businesses and taxpayers.

"Certainly we feel the goal of the group is laudable," said Wendy
Block of the Michigan Chamber of Commerce. "But we have serious
questions about what is meant by 'affordable' and 'comprehensive.' "

The state elections panel approved the form of the group's petitions
Wednesday, but more than 380,000 signatures would need to be
collected and certified to put the measure before voters.

Part-Time Legislature

The panel also approved the form of petitions for a group that wants
to create a part-time Legislature in Michigan. The proposal also
would reduce lawmaker pay and benefits. Signatures still need to be collected.

Tax Decisions

A group called the People's Choice Tax Repeal Committee wants to give
voters more say in tax issues. Its proposal would require a statewide
vote on any state law that creates a new tax, continues a tax,
reduces a tax deduction, or increases the effective rate of a tax. It
could affect an income tax increase that was approved by the
Legislature this year.

The group's petition form has not been approved. Members of the state
elections panel had concerns about the size and amount of print on
the front of the petition, which could be reworked to meet their
satisfaction later.