Bright Spots in the November Elections: Economic Ballot Initiatives Pass at State Level

By Emily Dieker, Public Policy Intern

November 12, 2004

While the 2004 Presidential and Congressional elections were a great disappointment to feminists and anti-poverty activists around the country, not all election results were disappointing. A handful of economically progressive ballot initiatives passed on Nov. 2, and not just in the "blue" states.

Voters in both Florida and Nevada overwhelmingly (72 percent and 68 percent respectively) passed an increase in their state's minimum wage. Both states will be raising the minimum wage by a full dollar to $6.15 per hour and indexing the wage to annual increases in the cost of living. Since women make up a majority of adult workers earning the minimum wage, this increase is an important step toward women's economic security.

California passed two progressive initiatives in the area of health care. Proposition 61 passed with 58 percent of the electorate and will allocate $750 million to build new (and renovate already existing) children's hospitals throughout the state. Proposition 63, which passed with 53 percent of the vote, will increase funding for mental health programs at the county level.

Both Colorado (61 percent) and Montana (63 percent) passed initiatives increasing the taxes on tobacco products in order to expand health care coverage to low-income residents.

To review all economic ballot initiatives, both good and bad, download this document from the Coalition on Human Needs .