2010 State Questions . . .

The content on this page is an effort to keep the voters informed about the state questions that will be on the 2010 ballot.
SQ 744 – HOPE Petition
This measure adds a new article to the Oklahoma Constitution concerning the amount of money the State provides to support common schools, pre-K through 12th grade. The Article would require the state to provide an amount of money per pupil that is at least equal to the average of the amounts spent per pupilby the states surrounding Oklahoma. If the average of the amounts spent per pupil by the surrounding states decreases for any year, the state must provide the same amount of money per pupil as the previous year. The amount spent per pupil means the amount spent for the day-to-day operations of the schools and school districts, including instruction, support services, and non-instruction services, but not including building projects or debt. The Article requires annual reports on education spending and school performance. Common schools must be funded in this manner within three years.

SQ 746 – Voter Identification

The ballot measure would require each person who appears to vote in person to provide proof of identity. Proof of identity is defined as a document that shows the name of the person and the name conforms to the name listed in the precinct registry; the document shows a photograph of the person; the document includes an expiration date; and the document was issued by the U.S. or Oklahoma government or a federally recognized Indian tribe. A person may also present a voter identification card as proof of identity. A person who declines to or cannot produce proof of identity could sign a sworn statement and cast a provisional ballot. False swearing would be a felony. The measure would be effective July 1, 2011.

SQ 747 – Term Limits

This measure would limit the Governor to eight years of service. Years served for less than a full term would not be counted. Other statewide elected officials would be limited to eight years of service, although Corporation Commissioners would be limited to twelve years of service. Years served for less than a full term would not be counted. Persons serving when this measure is passed could complete their terms and serve an additional eight or twelve years.

SQ 748 – Legislative Apportionment

The measure would change the name of the Apportionment Commission. The new name would be the Bipartisan Commission on Legislative Apportionment. Currently, the members of the Apportionment Commission are the Attorney General, the Superintendent of Public Instruction and the State Treasurer. The membership would be increased to seven members. The voting members of the Commission would consist of equal numbers of Republicans and Democrats. One Democrat and one Republican would be appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate. One Democrat and one Republican would be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives. One Democrat and one Republican would be appointed by the Governor. The Lieutenant Governor would be a nonvoting member. The Lieutenant Governor would serve as chair of the Commission. Currently, at least two members of the Commission are required to sign orders of apportionment. The measure would change the number to four members.

SQ 750 – Petition Signatures

This measure would amend Section 2 of Article 5 of the State Constitution. Under current law, eight percent of the voters must sign an initiative petition for a legislative measure. Fifteen percent must sign for a constitutional amendment. These percentages are based on the state office receiving the highest number of votes at the last General Election. This measure would make the percentage based on the number of votes cast at the last General Election for the Office of Governor.

SQ 751 – English Language

This measure amends the Oklahoma Constitution by adding a new Article 30. The amendment states that English is the common and unifying language of the state. All official actions of the state would be in English, except as required by federal law. No one would have a cause of action against an agency or subdivision of the state for failure to provide actions in any other language. The amendment could not be construed to diminish or impair uses of Native American languages. The Legislature would be able to enact related laws.

SQ 752 – Judicial Nominating Commission

This measure amends Section 3 of Article 7-B of the Oklahoma Constitution relating to the Judicial Nominating Commission. This amendment would change the number of members on the Commission from thirteen to fifteen. It will allow the President Pro Tempore of the Senate to pick one member and the Speaker of the House of Representatives to pick one member.

SQ 754 – Budgetary Decision Making

This measure amends the Oklahoma Constitution by adding a new Section 55A to Article 5 relating to the state budget and the ability of the Legislature to spend money each year. It would allow the Legislature to make decisions about the state budget. The Legislature would be able to decide how much money to spend each year and would not be required to spend a certain amount of money for any one government service or function. If this amendment is adopted, the Oklahoma Constitution could not require the Legislature to spend a certain amount of money for any one government service or function based on how much money any other state spent.

SQ 755 - Forbidding Courts to rely on International or Sharia Law

This measure amends the State Constitution. It changes a section that deals with the courts of this state. It makes courts rely on federal and state law when deciding cases. It forbids courts from considering or using international law. It forbids courts from considering or using Sharia (Islamic) Law.

SQ 756 - Health Care Opt-Out

This measure adds a new section of law to the State Constitution. It adds Section 37 to Article 2. It defines “health care system.” It prohibits making a person participate in a health care system. It prohibits making an employer participate in a health care system. It prohibits making a health care provider provide treatment in a health care system. It allows persons and employees to pay for treatment directly. It allows a health care provider to accept payment for treatment directly. It allows the purchase of health care insurance in private health care systems. It allows the sale of health insurance in private health care systems.

SQ 757 - Constitutional Reserve Fund

This measure amends the State Constitution. It amends Section 23 of Article 10. It increases the amount of surplus revenue which goes into a special fund. That fund is the Constitutional Reserve Fund. The amount would go from 10% to 15% of the funds certified as going to the General Revenue fund for the preceding fiscal year.