"All political power is inherent in the people,
and all free governments are founded on their authority,
and instituted for their benefit."
Texas Constitution, Article 1
"All political power is inherent in the people,
and all free governments are founded on their authority,
and instituted for their benefit."
Texas Constitution, Article 1
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.
