Quick Study 
on I&R

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

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

Texas is one of only 3 western states where the state legislature denies citizens the right of initiative.
CLICK HERE - SIGN ONLINE PETITION FOR STATEWIDE I&R RIGHTS FOR THE TEXAS VOTER IN THE 2009 LEGISLATIVE SESSION.


CLICK HERE for a National I&R Map and additional details

CLICK HERE to see another map of the 24 I&R states in the U.S.



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:
  • The 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
CLICK HERE to see how the I&R process works.

 

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

Tell me how I can help.

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

** Take this I&R Petition to your organization's next  meeting. 

** Customize your I&R Talking Points.

A Strategy Kit for the County I&R Activist *


Download/Print this I&R Informative pamphlet.

 

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.

Tell me how I can help.

Updated Dec 4, 2007
Initiative for Texas, Austin, TX 78741  **   (512) 447-2086  **   email: mikeford@quik.com