Initiative and Referendum 
is not about politics. 
It's about freedom. 

"Every government degenerates when trusted to the rulers of the people alone; 
the people themselves are its only safe depositories."
Thomas Jefferson

• What is the Initiative?
• Do Texans want it?
• Why Texans Want it?
• How do Texans Get it?
• I & R History in Texas
• Senate Testimony
•  

• Show me the wording

• Are my Legislators for 
  I & R?

• Who are 
  my legislators?

•  
• Higher voter turnout?
• Lower taxes?
•  

• I & R Institute --
  Everything you wanted to know 
  about I&R and a map

• Texas Cities with I & R
• Initiatives in California
•  
• The Arguments 
  Against I & R
• David Broder's 
  book on I & R
• Articles and Editorials
• Quotes on I & R
•  

• I & R Talk 
    Hear the Talk
    Read the Talk

• Bulletins - If you want to receive our bulletins, send us an email message
• Legislative decisions
  vs. Citizen decisions
• Informative Web Sites

MAP

Pamphlet

Helpful Name Gathering Tool

Initiative for Texas is a non-partisan project whose sole purpose is to obtain for Texans their right of direct binding initiative and referendum for state laws and constitutional amendments.

Texas is one of only 3 western states where the state legislature denies citizens the right of initiative.

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Every Demographic Group in Texas wants Initiative and Referendum
"Many States allow citizens to place proposed laws or constitutional amendments directly on the ballot by collecting petition signatures from registered voters. If the proposed law or amendment is approved by voters on election day, it becomes law. This is called the Initiative process. Texas citizens do not currently have the Initiative process. Should Texas citizens be given the right to use the Initiative process?
Yes - 74.2%
No - 12.4%
Not sure - 13.4%
Question 1, Rasmussen Research, random survey
of 500 adult Texans, July 14, 1998

In the 24 states that have the
Initiative process, citizens have
proposed many things, including:
right to vote for women,
8-hour workday for government,
voter approval of tax increases,
campaign finance reform,
term limits for elected officials,
protections for the environment.

 

Invite a speaker to your next meeting.  
Over 130 organizations (Rotary, Kiwanis, Chambers, clubs, etc.) have enjoyed our informational talks.   

** Take this Resolution to your organization's next  meeting. 

** Customize your 
Talking Points.

Tell me HOW 
I can help

Sen. Wentworth's Letter

When Texas gets I & R, does that replace the Legislature?
No.  In the 24 states with I & R, elected representatives proposed 71,979 new laws --- and passed 14,753.  Citizens in those same 24 states using the initiative process proposed 100 new laws --- and passed 45.
Source: National Conference of State Legislatures -- 1996 data

If the citizens of Texas adopted I & R -- and afterwards 
decided they didn't like it -- could they get rid of it?
Yes. The initiative process can be rescinded by initiative.  However, in the states with I & R, no citizen --- and no legislator --- has ever placed such a proposal on the ballot.

Initiative and referendum 
make government more responsive to its citizens,
neutralize the power of the special interests 
and stimulate public involvement in state issues.