Election Board To Consider Business Tax, Paid Sick Day Proposals

LANSING (AP) - Michigan's election board is planning to consider three newly announced ballot drives related to business taxes, sick days and voting by mail.

Supporters hope the Board of State Canvassers approves their petition forms on Thursday. Then they can start collecting hundreds of thousands of voter signatures needed to send their proposals to lawmakers and likely statewide votes in 2016.

Some labor unions are backing an initiative to increase the 6 percent corporate income tax to 11 percent to raise more money for road improvements. A measure backed by labor and community organizers would require that workers receive one hour of paid leave for every 30 worked.

A proposed constitutional amendment would move Michigan to mail-in ballots for local, state and national elections.

Three other states rely entirely on mail-in ballots.