Developers and slow-growth activists from around the nation willbe keeping an eye on the fate of Arizona's Proposition 202, thefirst proposal in US history that would impose strict growthcontrols across an entire state. Prop. 202, which some economistsestimate would immediately cost the state more than 200,000jobs--mostly in the building industry. This initiative would forcecities to establish growth boundaries based on 10-year populationprojections and slap a two-year moratorium on all new constructionwhile cities are defining boundaries. The cost of anyinfrastructure development outside those lines would be bornecompletely by developers.

The measure was written with the help of the Sierra Club. It isopposed by most developers and other real estate interests, whohave been joined by many banks, labor unions and even farmers.

Meantime, voters in Maricopa County will decide the fate of alocal measure that would raise millions of dollars to build a newfootball stadium for the National Football League's ArizonaCardinals, construct youth sports facilities and promote tourism.If Proposition 302 fails, the Cardinals may well move to anothercity—perhaps Los Angeles.