Archives for May 2009

In a few hours California voters will take to the polls and decide the fate of their state. Using the initiative and referendum process millions of people will weigh on important measures. In Paul Jacob’s weekly column he writes how he is “jealous” of Californian’s power.

Californians live in one of 24 states that have the power of initiative and referendum. While he agrees the process is not perfect but states it provides people with options.

Grassroots Update: Reform!

Fri, May 15 2009 by Staff
GRUThe movement for ballot initiative rights keeps building around the country as activists in several states work to roll back attacks on their rights and push forward with efforts to expand them.
 
A broad coalition of groups ranging politically from left to right have teamed up to fight Senate Bill 212 in Nevada. Twice, the Nevada legislature has enacted a requirement that petition signatures be collected in certain areas of the state.

Governor Tim Kaine has finally put his signature on a bill meant to protect citizens petitioning their government from being sanctioned.

From Joe Matthews at the Blockbuster Democracy Blog:

Great news out of Nebraska, a vote to change how Nebraskans vote.

According to the Journal Star, a proposed ballot measure will allow the average voter to have a stronger voice in their state’s government.

Nebraskans could vote on whether it should be easier to vote ”” on ballot initiatives.

Brad Ashwell Legislative Advocate for the Florida Public Interest Research Group (PIRG), has been named as the May 2009 recipient of the John Lilburne Award. He is being honored for his work in defeating anti-initiative legislation and defending the rights of Florida voters.

Recently Alaska Governor Sarah Palin has been in the news again, this time for taking a position on ballot initiatives in her state.

According to Politico:

“The Alaska Public Offices Commission found Friday night that she did not violate state election laws by announcing her position on a controversial ballot measure requiring tougher environmental standards for new mines.”

Citizen led reform is a priority for Illinois Governor Pat Quinn. He is working against the clock to push through his top issues before the official end of the state’s legislative session.

Quinn, who is trying to create a stark difference between himself and his predecessor, the disgraced Rob Blagojevich, is making his mark as a reformer. At the top of his “must-do” list are ethics reform, passing a recall measure, public financing and allowing citizens to use binding referendums to enact reform when lawmakers do not.

We hope you can join us for today for Citizens On Tap, an informal gathering of friends and colleagues seeking mutual understanding over a pint of beer (or wine…?) If you are in the D.C. metro area, please stop by and enjoy the fun today, Wednesday, May 6, 2009 at Tortilla Coast. Meet us at the bar and check in. The first round is on us.

Please RSVP to Trevor@CitizensInCharge.org

CitizensOnTapUSPRIG

Oklahomans are celebrating the passage of a major reform to the state’s stringent ballot initiative process.  Senate Joint Resolution 13 (SJR-13) passed the legislature and will now be on the 2010 ballot for the voters of Oklahoma.

The Blockbuster Democracy Blog tells us how NOT to reform Nevada’s ballot initiative process. A bill moving through the state legislature would require the signatures of 10% of voters in all 42 assembly districts. Joe Matthews points out that “That would effectively end ballot initiatives in the state. Such a process would be far too expensive and time-consuming for anyone but the wealthiest of the wealthy.”