Ballot asks: Yes or No?

Minnesotans are voting on whether to remove state lawmakers' authority to set their own salaries and transfer the power instead to an independent citizen board.
If passed, it would be a dramatic change in how lawmaker pay is set, but hasn’t received much campaign attention from either party.
The question asks, "Shall the Minnesota Constitution be amended to remove state lawmakers' power to set their own salaries, and instead establish an independent, citizens-only council to prescribe salaries of lawmakers?"
Supporters say it’s a logical measure; lawmakers shouldn’t be able to set their own salaries.
Critics say the wording of the question leads voters to agree with “removing power from lawmakers,” because it implies there’s been abuse of power.
Minnesota lawmakers’ starting base salary of $31,140 reportedly hasn't changed since 1999.
This is partly because raises are politically unpopular, but if the measure passes, the 16-member salary council would revisit legislator pay every two years.
The governor and Minnesota Supreme Court chief justice would pick the committee members, which would be split evenly on party lines. Legislators past and present and their spouses would be excluded, as would lobbyists, judges and state employees.
According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, Minnesota, lawmakers rank 19th in base pay among the 39 states that provide an annual salary.
States that use committees to set legislative salaries sometimes decrease lawmaker pay during times of fiscal crisis. But in general, legislative salaries have increased with regular reviews.
The constitutional amendment needs a majority “yes” vote to pass. Those who fail to answer the question will be counted as “no” votes.
 
Sunday liquor in Luverne?
Luverne voters have an opportunity to answer the question of allowing on-sale liquor on Sundays.
Recent history shows a lack of support for the measure.
In 2004, 60 percent of Luverne voters said “no” to the question of allowing on-sale liquor on Sundays.
In 2008 Luverne voters again rejected Sunday liquor sales (requested then by Dave Halverson for Sharkee’s) by a narrow margin of 1,232-1,180.
This year the question is posed on the general election ballot at the request of Brian Sterling of Sterling’s Café & Grille.
According to state law, a city may issue a Sunday liquor license only if authorized to do so by the voters.
In August, Luverne City Council members agreed to put the question on the ballot.
It asks, “Shall the Luverne City Council be allowed to issue on-sale licenses to restaurants, clubs, bowling centers and hotels for the sale of intoxicating liquor at retail on Sundays?”
If voters authorize the city to issue Sunday liquor licenses, the city can put its own restrictions on the terms of the licensure.