Nation: Wild Cards on the Ballots

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Referendums on taxes, gay rights and smoking

Disc Jockey Dave Willlford suggested on radio station WBSM in New Bedford, Mass., that his listeners should march on city hall to protest recent increases in property taxes that in some cases amounted to 100%. Last week about 4,000 angry taxpayers mobbed the city's downtown for four hours, scrambling up scaffolding at the city hall, clambering on top of the mayor's limousine and waving signs reading DON'T PAY TAXES! Despite two arrests, the demonstrators refused to disperse until Mayor John Markey appeared at a second-floor window and said he sympathized with them but could do nothing. The crowd soundly booed the mayor, and then went home.

New Bedford's spontaneous protest was fresh evidence of the depth of Americans' anger at taxes—and a sign of how far normally peaceable citizens are willing to go to make their feelings known. On Election Day, Nov. 7, voters across the country will have an opportunity to take matters into their own hands—not by storming government buildings but by voting on tax referendums in 16 states. In Massachusetts, for example, the voters will have their say on Question 1, which would give the state legislature authority to create a classification system for property taxes. It would limit assessments of residential property to 40% of market value, while allowing commercial property to be assessed at 50% and industrial property at 55%. Proponents claim that the change would help protect homeowners in the future from steep tax increases like those experienced in New Bedford.

Nor are the referendums in this election limited to taxes. Increasingly, voters are resorting to ballot questions to vent their frustrations on a wide variety of issues. This year more than 200 referendums will appear on 38 state ballots. Georgia alone will have 36 constitutional amendments on its ballot. In addition, there will be an uncounted number of local ballot questions around the country, such as the votes in 45 counties in Kansas on whether restaurants may serve liquor by the drink. Among the most significant statewide referendums are these:

>Californians face two highly controversial proposals. One would prohibit smoking in most work areas', lounges, cafeterias, sports arenas, theaters and certain areas of bars and restaurants. The proposal has pitted the American Cancer Society and the California Medical Association against the cigarette companies, which fear that the restrictions would cause their sales to drop. The other ballot proposition would require the firing of public school teachers who happen to be practicing homosexuals. The proposal is backed by groups like the Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs' Association and the California Farm Bureau, but is opposed by an unusual coalition of civil liberties organizations and conservatives, including former Governor Ronald Reagan and Senator S.I. Hayakawa, who feels that "so many laws already exist." Polls indicate that public opinion is evenly split on both propositions.