Changes In State Law Based On 2008 Election

Some where in the euphoria over the Presidential election, the voters decisions on some other issues got buried in the background. For example, the Los Angeles County Registrar's Office stopped issuing same-sex marriage licenses after the voters passed a measure to eliminate the right of gay couples to marry. Specifically, voters in California, Arizona and Florida weighed in on constitutional bans on same-sex marriage. Apparently, 52 percent of voters approved California's Proposition 8. The amendment to the state constitution overrides a state Supreme Court ruling in May that legalized same-sex marriage. Folks at ProtectMarriage.com nearly danced in the streets. It is a good thing that they did not because the streets were already crowded. Thousands of demonstrators filled streets in Los Angeles Wednesday displaying their disappointment at the apparent passage of a ballot initiative to ban gay and lesbian marriages.
Hundreds of protesters staged a half-hour sit-in outside CNN's Los Angeles bureau on Sunset Boulevard. Ellen DeGeneres said she is "saddened beyond belief" over the proposed amendment. (DeGeneres is married to actress Portia de Rossi.)

In Arizona, a similar measure failed in 2006. But in 2008, Proposition 102 passed with 56 percent of the vote.

Florida voters approved that state's amendment, 62 percent to 38 percent. Arizona, California and Florida were the only states to consider constitutional amendments banning gay and lesbian marriages.

In Arkansas, 57% supported a measure to prohibit unmarried sexual partners from adopting children or from serving as foster parents. The measure applies to opposite-sex as well as same-sex couples.

Colorado rejected a measure defining a person to "include any human being from the moment of fertilization." This would have banned abortion.

South Dakota rejected a proposal to prohibit abortion except in cases of rape, incest or where the mother's life is at risk.

Michigan chose to amend the state constitution to permit human embryonic stem cell research. The embryos, which must have been created for fertility treatment purposes, would have to be ones that would have otherwise been discarded. Michigan became the 13th state to legalize marijuana for medical purposes, with 63 percent of the vote.

Massachusetts approved an initiative to decriminalize possession of less than an ounce of marijuana.

Nebraska now prohibits the state government from discriminating against or granting preferential treatment to people based on race, ethnicity, color, sex or national origin.

Washington appears to have approved an initiative allowing adults with six months or less to live to request lethal medication prescribed by a physician.

Arizonans decide to reform state laws prohibiting the employment of illegal immigrants. Under Proposition 202, only employers who know that an employee does not have legal status would risk having their business licenses suspended or revoked.

Massachusetts rejected a proposal to cut the state personal income tax rate in half for 2009 and eliminate the state personal income tax starting in 2010. A similar proposal also failed in North Dakota..

Maryland approved a constitutional amendment to authorize the use of video lottery terminals, or slot machines in the state to fund public education.

So, if you missed these on the ballet or in the news, read em and weep.