State Voters Decide Ballot Measures Affecting Nonprofits

Voters in Tuesday’s state elections weighed in on several ballot measures that were of interest to nonprofit groups.

* Colorado voters rejected three measures involving taxes and debt that were opposed by nonprofit advocates. The proposals would have cut state income-tax rates and vehicle-registration fees, restricted the ability of state and local governments to borrow money, and limited property-tax increases. The Colorado Nonprofit Association and other nonprofit groups waged a lobbying campaign against the three measures, saying they would have cut government payments to charities while increasing job losses and school class sizes.

* Massachusetts voters nixed a measure to cut the state sales-tax rate but agreed to repeal a sales tax on alcoholic beverages. The Providers’ Council, a group that represents nonprofit human-service groups, had lobbied against both measures, saying they would lead the state to cut back spending on human-services programs.

* Arizona voters voted against repealing the state’s First Things First program, which provides money for early-childhood services. Many nonprofit groups opposed the measure, which would have moved the money for the program, which comes from a voter-approved tobacco tax, into the general fund.

Did any ballot measures in your state affect nonprofit groups? If so, please leave a comment below.