Citizens in Charge

An Oregon editorial is calling for Governor Ted Kulongoski to veto a dangerous bill that recently passed the state legislature. House Bill 2005 imposes heavy fines that can be used to harass petition sponsors and will chill the petition process.

“Oregon lawmakers last week went a step too far in “reforming” the state’s initiative process, passing legislation that would deter all but the wealthy from making use of that time-honored process. Democratic sponsors of House Bill 2005 insist that the legislation is needed to combat fraud and rein in an out-of-control initiative process. We disagree…. Citizen initiatives and referendums serve a valuable function in the democratic process. They give the people a direct voice and act as a kind of safety valve for grassroots sentiment around various single issues. Oregon lawmakers do themselves or state government no favor when they attempt to stifle that voice. Gov. Kulongoski should veto HB 2005.”

Click here to read the whole editorial.