Monthly Archive for Initiative and Referendum
Initiative and Referendum Stories Posted in April 2008
Lawmakers Seek to Make State Constitution Amendments More Difficult
Category: Initiative and Referendum · State: Colorado · Source: 9 News
Colorado lawmakers are debating whether to ask voters this fall if it should be harder to change the state's constitution in the future. The Senate Concurrent Resolution has already passed the Senate with two-thirds of the chamber in support and is expected to pass out of a House committee Tuesday afternoon. The resolution was based on many recommendations made by a panel at the University of Denver formed to study Colorado's Constitution. It seeks to require more signatures needed on petitions gathered from all over Colorado to amend the constitution while lowering the number of signatures needed to simply change state law. "What we're trying to do here is basically prevent mutually assured destruction by the ballot box," said Rep. Andy Kerr (D-Lakewood), one of the co-sponsors of the measure in the House. "(Concurrent Resolution 3) will treat the Constitution with the respect it deserves." Colorado's 131-year-old Constitution has been amended more times in the last 25 years than the United States Constitution has been amended in its history. It is currently ten times longer than its federal counterpart as well.
Putin Signs Law Curbing Referendum Rights
Category: Civil Rights · State: · Source: Reuters
Russian President Vladimir Putin signed into force changes to a law on Friday that Kremlin critics say will further stifle democracy by curbing the topics that can be put to referendums. The restrictions provoked a walkout by the main opposition Communist party faction when it was put to a vote in the State Duma lower house of parliament on April 4. The amendment to existing legislation was still passed when pro-Kremlin parliamentarians voted overwhelmingly to curtail future referendums that might affect presidential powers or budgetary issues. Putin's signature is the final step necessary before it becomes law.
NorthernStar Moves Against Referendum Bid
Category: Initiative and Referendum · State: Washington · Source: The Daily News-Longview, WA
NorthernStar Natural Gas is trying to block an effort to give voters a say in Clatsop County’s approval of its proposed Columbia River liquefied natural gas terminal. The Houston company sought an injunction Tuesday in Clatsop County Circuit Court to stop a referendum from reaching the September ballot. NorthernStar said it will argue that land-use decisions are not beholden to the referendum process and that the ballot measure is therefore illegal.
Nevada Supreme Court Will Hear Gaming Tax Petition
Category: Initiative and Referendum · State: Nevada · Source: Las Vegas Review-Journal
The Nevada Supreme Court today announced it will conduct a hearing July 1 to determine whether a petition to increase the gaming tax should go on the November election ballot. Chief Justice Mark Gibbons set the tentative date to hear the Nevada Resort Association's appeal of a lower court decision that has allowed the Nevada State Education Association to circulate the petitions. "Nevada voters have a right to cast their ballots on appropriate matters and the Supreme Court will do whatever it can to prevent unnecessary delays," Gibbons said.
Opinion: "Soprano State" Taxpayers Victims of Too Much Government
Category: Initiative and Referendum · State: New Jersey · Source: Asbury Park Press
I've just finished reading "The Soprano State" by Bob Ingle and Sandy McClure. What a mind-numbing experience. No fault of the authors. But 287 pages detailing the ways by which self-serving pols and their greedy cronies raid state and local treasuries and gang-rape the New Jersey taxpayer end up being a real downer. Is this what democracy is all about?
Opinion: Share Power With Citizens
Category: Initiative and Referendum · State: New Jersey · Source: Asbury Park Press
A succession of recent governors and legislatures have had their chance to make things right in this state and have failed miserably. It's time to give New Jersey voters a crack at it: They should demand that lawmakers give them the power of initiative and referendum — a power granted citizens in 27 states and most Western democracies.
Other Monthly Archives for Initiative and Referendum
- April 2008 (6)