Pot, Taxes And Secession

Across the nation, voters were deciding measures Tuesday that were bitterly opposed by their elected officials — from legalizing marijuana in Nevada to scrapping the income tax in Massachusetts to demanding state-funded health care for every citizen in Oregon.

In Los Angeles, voters were deciding whether to break up their city.

There are actually two measures, reports CBS News Correspondent Steve Futterman. One would create for the San Fernando Valley, the other would make a city out of Hollywood. In order for either measure to win, it has to be approved both in the proposed city and in the entire City of Los Angeles. Most public opinion polls show both the San Fernando Valley and Hollywood measures will lose.

If the two measures are approved, though, they would have a drastic effect. Los Angeles would go from being the nation's second largest city to the third largest, while the new city formed out of the San Fernando Valley would probably become the nation's sixth largest city.

State voters could add more than $1 billion to California's already staggering budget deficit if they approve all three of the borrowing proposals before them Tuesday.

Propositions 46, 47 and 50 — for housing, schools and conservation, respectively — carry a combined annual debt service of $1.26 billion, estimates the nonpartisan Legislative Analyst. California already leads the nation in bond debt.

However, much of the impact on the state budget, and next year's estimated $15 billion deficit, would come in later years. The bonds would be issued as needed over several years, and the state treasurer is delaying principal payments for several more to help with the current budget crunch.

While everyone made jokes about Florida's prospects for a smooth election, what particularly raised the specter of delays were 10 state constitutional amendments and other ballot items. Some Broward County voters faced nearly three dozen ballot choices.

State measures would ban smoking in most workplaces, change public university governance and impose a cap on the number of students in public classrooms.

Question 9 is the boldest of several Nevada state marijuana initiatives being considered by voters Tuesday.

Most of the debate is not so much about the marijuana, but what comes with it, reports CBS News Correspondent Lou Miliano.

"People who are arrested in our state clearly bear out that marijuana is a part and parcel of criminal activity," said Sparks police chief John Dotson.

But state lawmaker Chris Giunchigliani, who led passage of Nevada's pot for medical use law, called Question 9 a natural extension.

"All this would is say is that if you're in the privacy of your own home, you're 21 years old, you're not dealing it, selling it or doing anything else with it," you could possess a small amount of marijuana, she told Miliano. "Let's fight those types of crimes where we actually can make a difference."

Pot would be sold in state-licensed smoke shops and taxed like cigarettes.

Even if it passes, whether Question 9 could take effect is unclear. Voters would have to approve the measure again in 2004 to amend the state constitution. State lawmakers would then craft regulations on the growth, sale, and taxation of the herb. But federal law bans marijuana possession.

Polls show support for the measure had been slipping since summer, and it now appears headed for defeat. In addition, the expected large turnout of young voters — considered more likely to support the question — hasn't materialized, while turnout of the elderly is higher this year.

Proposition 203 in Arizona would decriminalize possession of up to two ounces of marijuana — enough to make up to 200 cigarettes. The penalties for being caught with that amount would be reduced to a fine, similar to a speeding ticket.

The initiative also calls for providing seriously ill people with easier access to marijuana. It would require the Department of Public Safety to distribute marijuana to people who have a recommendation from their doctor.

The marijuana would come from drugs confiscated by law enforcement.

Other measures on the ballot Tuesday:

• In Ohio, Gov. Robert Taft and most of the criminal justice establishment opposed a measure that would require judges to order treatment instead of jail for nonviolent first- and second-time drug offenders.
• Most judges and politicians in South Dakota campaigned against a daring proposal — backed by drug reformers, libertarians and others — that would allow defendants to tell juries they can disregard a law if they don't like it. Known as jury nullification, and forbidden in every state, the practice would let people accused of crimes argue that a law has no merit or should not apply to their situation.
• An Arkansas measure would abolish the sales tax on food and medicine, costing state and local governments more than $200 million in revenue.
• An initiative in Massachusetts, proposing repeal of the 5.3 percent state income tax, would dry up a $9 billion funding source that represents 40 percent of the state budget. Herman B. Leonard, a professor at Harvard's Kennedy School of Government, called it the state's most radical ballot initiative in 50 years, though the Legislature would have the option of defying it.
• Taxes in Oregon would climb if voters there approve the nation's first comprehensive health care plan, which would give every citizen full medical insurance. The plan — opposed by the insurance and health care industries — would cost an estimated $19 billion a year, to be financed by higher income taxes and a new payroll tax.
• Proposals in Colorado and Massachusetts would eliminate bilingual education and replace it with a one-year English-immersion program.
• Voters could authorize state lotteries in Tennessee and North Dakota. Approval would be a milestone in Tennessee, the only state besides Hawaii and Utah without legalized gambling.
• Offer financial incentives for young adults to stay in North Dakota.
• Create state holidays honoring Cesar Chavez in Colorado and New Mexico.