Juvenile justice, drug and gaming proposals get voters' approval

By The Associated Press
Arizona Daily Wildcat
November 6, 1996

PHOENIX - Voters approved sweeping changes to Arizona's juvenile justice and drug laws yesterday, also opening the door to a greater gambling presence on Indian reservations.

Those three propositions drew the most heated debate among seven on yesterday's ballot, but weren't nearly as divisive in the minds of Arizona voters.

A proposal to boost funding for the state's indigent health-care program through lottery revenues also passed easily. But one changing the effective date of appropriations or taxation statutes was defeated.

Two others, to raise legislative salaries and to provide tax exemptions for small businesses, were too close to call as the night dragged on.

The results signaled a mixed decision for Gov. Fife Symington, who authored the juvenile justice initiative and whose refusal to negotiate any more gaming compacts led to Proposition 201.

''I never really looked at it that way,'' Symington said. ''The opposition (to Proposition 102) made it a referendum on my leadership. That made it a very personal and bitter fight.''

Proposition 102 requires automatic transfer to adult court of all juveniles age 15 or older charged with murder, rape or armed robbery. Judges still would decide whether to transfer younger suspects or those charged with lesser crimes.

With 1,683 of 1,969 precincts reporting, Proposition 102 received 695,377 votes in favor or 63 percent. Votes against totaled 412,261 or 37 percent.

''Especially after all the personal attacks, I was concerned the issue might get blurred,'' said Symington, whose approval rating has shriveled with criminal and civil suits filed against him.

Maricopa County Attorney Rick Romley, opposed to the measure, said he expected legal challenges as to whether all previous laws setting guidelines for the Superior Court over juvenile matters should now be discarded.

''Now we've got to do it right,'' Romley said. ''If we don't do it right, it could set us back many years.''

Symington may have to retreat from his stance regarding Indian gaming after passage of Proposition 201. With 1,667 of 1,969 precincts reporting, Proposition 201 received 703,683 votes of approval or 64 percent. Opposing votes totaled 397,569 or 36 percent.

''It's exciting to know that the people of Arizona are beginning to understand more about how tribes in the state can work together to produce positive economic successes for all people,'' said Ivan Makil, president of the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community.

Proponents of Proposition 200, the drug-reform initiative, declared yesterday's victory a ''historic moment in the United States.'' Among other things, it will allow doctors to prescribe marijuana to some patients.

With 1,667 of 1,969 precincts reporting, Proposition 200 garnered 709,958 votes or 65 percent. The measure was rejected by 383,419 voters or 35 percent.

''This is not the last word, but a first step toward rational drug policy,'' said Sam Vagenas, campaign coordinator for Arizonans for Drug Policy Reform. ''Drug abuse is a disease.''

With 1,667 precincts reporting, Proposition 203 to fund the indigent-care program received 767,360 votes in favor or 72 percent. ''No'' votes totaled 301,971 or 28 percent.

Proposition 100, to change dates of legislation, was rejected by 616,273 voters or 59 percent. Votes in favor were 432,745 or 41 percent with 1,683 precincts reporting.


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