From the governor’s race on down to ballot issues with direct impacts on the state’s environmental and conservation future, the Nov. 7 general election ballot is loaded with ways to make your vote count toward moving the state into a future of clean energy, smart land use strategies and majestic waters that are cherished and protected from harm.

We can’t tell you who to vote for—MEC’s nonprofit status forbids us from endorsing candidates for public office. But we can challenge you to ask the tough environmental questions of your would-be state officials, demanding specific answers to policy questions rather than being satisfied with the platitudes (“If elected, I will support clean water!”) that so often masquerade as policy.

We can, however, lobby and endorse—yea or nay—ballot issues and have taken positions on some. Here is a primer on the ballot issues’ potential effects on conservation and the environment, along with MEC’s recommendation where the Board of Directors has taken a stand.

PROPOSAL 1:
CONSERVATION FUNDING
What it would do:     Establish the Conservation and Recreation Legacy Fund, the Game and Fish Protection Trust Fund and the Nongame Fish and Wildlife Trust Fund in the state constitution.
MEC position:     MEC supports this initiative and urges a YES vote.
Why:   It would require money in these funds to be spent for their intended purposes and discourage “raids” by legislators seeking cash for non-conservation uses.

PROPOSAL 2:
MICHIGAN CIVIL RIGHTS INITIATIVE
What it would do:     It would ban public sector Affirmative Action programs.
MEC position:     We oppose this initiative and urge a NO vote.
Why:   MEC believes that Affirmative Action is an important tool in providing women and minorities with opportunities in fields—like college admissions—that are still unequal.

PROPOSAL 3:
DOVE HUNTING
What it would do:     Approve a legislative act that allows for the limited hunting of mourning doves.
MEC position:     Neutral
Why:     MEC represents member groups aligned strongly on both sides of this issue. A YES vote establishes a hunting season for mourning doves. A NO vote scuttles the proposed dove hunting season.

PROPOSAL 4:
EMINENT DOMAIN
What it would do:   Restrict the power of state and local government to take private property for certain private purposes.
MEC position:   Neutral
Why:   The proposal would have little effect in Michigan; it essentially reinforces what is already established case law.

PROPOSAL 5:
K-16 EDUCATIONAL FUNDING GUARANTEE
What it would do:   Establish minimum funding levels for state schools.
MEC position:     Neutral
Why:   MEC represents member groups aligned on both sides of the issue.
Argument for:   It would protect crucial education budgets and ensure stable funding levels for schools, helping ensure an educated Michigan workforce.
Argument against:   It would limit budgeting flexibility, potentially sapping money from other important state programs, including environmental and conservation programs.