Voters across U.S. to decide 200 questions

NEW YORK (AP) Should casino gambling be legalized in Florida?

Should Rhode Island spend $4.3 million to finance engineering studies for construction of a reservoir?

Should Montana grocery stores be allowed to sell wine?

These are some of the questions voters will answer in the general election next month. An Associated Press survey found more than 200 constitutional amendments, initiatives, referenda and other proposals on the ballots in 38 states.

The most controversial and highly publicized issues center on tax money

how it should be raised and how it should be spent. Major proposals affecting taxes or spending are under consideration in 16 states. Most are the result of petition drives similar to the one that led to the passage of Proposition 13 cutting property taxes 57% in California. Most are given a good chance of success.

The tax and spending questions, however, are far outnumbered by other issues.

Of nine proposals on the Florida ballot, the one that has drawn the most attention is the result of an initiative drive to legalize casino

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gambling along a 21-mile strip of Miami Beach. Opponents, including Gov. Reubin Askew, bankers and several of the state's major newspapers, say gambling would only aid organized crime. Supporters, led by a group called "Let's Help Florida," say gambling would provide revenue for schools and local law enforcement agencies. Proposals to legalize jai alai and parimutuel horse race betting are on the ballot in New Jersey

and Virginia respectively.

Equality for women is an issue in two states, neither of which has passed the proposed Equal Rights Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. In Nevada, where lawmakers have rejected the ERA three times, the six ballot questions include a nonbinding advisory vote to help the legislature make up its mind when it considers the amendment again next year. In Florida, meanwhile, residents will vote on a proposed "Declaration of Rights on Sex," which would expand the state's Bill of

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Rights to prohibit discrimination because of sex.

Homosexual rights are an issue in California, where there are eight questions on the ballot. One initiative would allow school districts to fire or refuse to hire teachers for public

homosexual acts, including promoting homosexual activity. Polls indi. cate the measure will pass. Another controversial initiative, given an even chance of victory, would require special no-smoking sections in many public places and ban smoking entirely in others.

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