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Some of the same problems we face in Texas occur in other
states. Legislatures elsewhere have faced the same bickering
and inaction on crucial issues like education, prisons and the
budget. The voters of many of those states suffer the same
frustrations we do.
In
24 states, though, voters have a trump card. It is called
"initiative and referendum". Instead of sitting idly
by while elected officials play politics, citizens can propose their
own laws for a vote of the people. In many states, voters also
can repeal laws passed by their legislatures.
Specifically, "initiative" is the means by which citizens
can propose and pass laws or constitutional amendments. The
power of "referendum" allows citizens to repeal laws
recently passed.
Initiative and referendum (I & R) have been available to
Americans since the earliest days of the country's history. The
24 states with such power include some of the most populous:
California, Florida, Illinois, Michigan and Ohio. Even District
of Columbia residents have initiative and referendum power.
Ironically, most Texans already have such power and authority, but
only on the local level. Initiative and referendum have been
available to Texans in home-rule cities (263 of them) since 1913. In
1914, Texans rejected a statewide I & R proposal because the
Legislature proposed signature requirements twice as high as any
other state had ever proposed. In 1979, an I & R proposal
fell only 11 votes short of the 2/3 needed to pass in the Legislature.
The power of initiative and referendum makes government more
accountable, creates greater citizen participation in government,
makes a better-informed electorate, guards against the concentration
of political power and helps put new ideas on the political agenda.
Critics claim that initiative and referendum will clutter the ballot
with myriad proposed laws. This doesn't happen in other states;
why should it happen here? In fact, national studies show that
four times as many proposals are put on ballots by legislatures than
through initiative and referendum.
Other critics say that we Texans aren't qualified to vote on the laws
by which we are governed. This is the type of arrogance that
makes people cry out for initiative and referendum in the first place.
Legislation that would give Texans the power of initiative and
referendum is pending before the Texas House and Senate. I hope
voters will write their state senators and representatives and ask
them to support the right of Texans to vote on laws, not just politicians. |
