Issue 3Constitutional amendment · Put on the ballot by lawmakers
Economic development districts
Explain it like I'm 5
This lets lawmakers create special development areas and use public loans, grants, and bonds to attract jobs and projects. It is like giving government a bigger toolbox to build a new business area.
Yes vote
Allowing the legislature to create economic-development programs and districts that can use public loans, grants, and authorized bonds.
No vote
Keeping current constitutional limits on these economic-development tools.
The question to ask yourself
Do you trust lawmakers and local governments with broader public-financing tools to pursue development?
The case for
- Could help communities attract employers, jobs, and infrastructure.
- Gives lawmakers tools that neighboring states use to compete for projects.
- Allows details to be tailored later through legislation and district rules.
Backed by: No organized campaign found
The case against
- Approves broad authority before all operating rules are written.
- Public financing can favor selected businesses and expose taxpayers to failed projects.
- District bonds would receive exemptions from existing constitutional debt limits.
Opposed by: No organized opposition found
- Money
- Tax effects and total future public costs are not estimated; the measure allows future district taxes, charges, property-tax exemptions, and public financing.
- Don't be misled
- Claims that the amendment immediately creates districts or automatically raises taxes are misleading because later laws and, where required, separate local actions would determine the details.