Lesser known ballot initiatives

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Here's an FYI on the lesser known ballot initiatves. I am also mentioning which liberal groups are endorsing which side so you can make up your own mind.

102 - technology transfer for universities. What this would do is allow universities to obtain stock in private companies in exchange for allowing those companies to commercialize university research. I voted no, but I should point out that education groups, most university faculty, and Gov. Napolitano are strongly in favor of it. Opponents are people concerned about universities shifting emphasis from academics to commercial research, people opposed to the restructuring plan for Arizona universities (of which 102 is a part), and people concerned about commercialization of military technology, human cloning, privacy-invading technology and the like. Your call.

103 - the biggest no-brainer on the ballot. Repeals the idiotic rule that pro-tem justices of the peace have to be lawyers and have to reside in the county. Regular justices of the peace do not have to be lawyers, but the rule about pro-tem justices of the peace has caused a shortage and clogged up the courts. I voted yes.

105 - adds a representative from a charter school to the state Board of Education. The way I see it: charter schools already have their own board, so why do they belong on the state board? I see this as another part of the right wing attack on public education. They want to privatize education and charter schools are one of their tools. However, teachers are divided on this and the education organizations have not taken a formal position, so it may not be that important in the long run. I voted no. Your call.