It's a good thing when study commissions keep in mind what the voters want.
The Rapid City Journal is reporting tonight that the Constitutional Revision Commission is smartly saying NO to putting forth a proposal to monkey around with the number of signatures required to place a measure on the ballot.
A proposal that would have required sponsors of proposed state laws to get more signatures in order to put their measures on the ballot was rejected Thursday by a special commission. The proposal, which could have increased by about 50 percent the number of signatures needed to put an initiated measure on the ballot, was defeated on a 5-7 vote by the Constitutional Revision Commission, which is studying legal provisions that deal with the legislative process.Read it all here. (and good job guys)
Commission member Bob Roe of Brookings, a former state lawmaker, said voters would never accept any proposal that boosted the number of signatures needed to put something on the ballot for a statewide public vote. South Dakotans are determined to protect their right to place measures on the ballot, and they would block any move to make that more difficult, he said.
Comments
Thanks for adding Jack Billion's photo to your moving photo marquee. However, I would have preferred you put him between my congresswoman Stephanie Herseth and my state representative Shantel Krebs. (grin)
Todd Epp
The sponsors ignored that advice, collected signatures and placed the measure on the November ballot.
The JAIL4Judges people will not take no for an answer.
After it is defeated at the ballot this November, it probably will be back in 2008.
I also find your position ironic because you have rightfully taken a very strong position against J.A.I.L. We will continue to see these fringe groups propose bad amendments and laws as long as the initiative process remains as it now exists. We are going to have a number of items on the upcoming ballot, including the NORML initiative. I am very concerned that a well heeled person or organization will be able to put together a bad proposal that will pass just as our State adopted the unconstitutional corporate farming ban and repeal of the inheritance tax (cost the state over $20 mil./year - 55% of which was paid by out of staters) just a few years ago.
Between JAIL, NORML and Napoli's property tax/anti economic development/anti-new homeowner initiative (1st major step towards an income tax), South Dakotans will eventually vote themselves into the stone age.
The initiative/referendum process should be available for the citizens to invoke in extraordinary cases, not on the whim of somebody who has a bone to pick and a catchy sound bite like, "Do you think Judges should be above the law?"
Also, the Republicans in the legislature also like to refer things relating to a new tax. They are pussies. They don't like leading, they like finding a postion where people are, and getting there first.
Republicans are pussies.
The voters are the citizenry. You apparently suggest that the voters elect Republicans, but err in doing so; therefore, it's a good thing the citizenry can swing into action and undo what the voters have done by electing the people they elect.
It's OK. I understand. Nobody ever accused a liberal of sound reasoning.
The voters ARE the citizenry, for those of you in Rio Linda.
That's what Big government, high tax (except for themselves), Blotted beauracracy, pork barrel(South Dakota is #1) swilling, self interest bozo's like anon. 11:55 would like.
He suggests your too stupid to have that much power. You're "dupes and fools" and can't make your own decisions. Rely on him and the cronies he got into the legislature. They will take care of your needs. He "trusts them."
Good luck in trying to take away the people's rights, boys. We all know what a bunch of sheep the GOP legislature is. There has to be some way to correct some of the bumbling that goes on in Pierre. Exhibit A--the inheritance tax.
PP, you are right on the money!