In an election year dominated by the pitched battle for Congress and major governors' races, state ballot measures involving education are largely tied to a similar theme: the burden of funding K-12 programs when state finances are shaky. In some cases, initiatives, constitutional amendments, and other ballot measures seek to tap new sources of funding for education. For instance, an initiative in Washington state would raise taxes on the wealthiest individuals, lower other taxes, and divert any new revenue to schools and health programs. More indirectly, California is considering a measure to roll back a package of recently enacted corporate tax breaks. Proponents, including the state's largest teachers' union, say the resulting revenue could help stave off potentially damaging cuts to education. Maine and Oregon voters weigh plans to create new casinos that would direct part of their proceeds to K-12 education. But in other states, voters are deciding whether to take dollars currently targeted for education programs and redirect them to other priorities--or to tax relief.