4 ms·
Here in Michigan we have as part of our state constitution the ability to enact and repeal laws through voter referendum. http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mc
by yoshamano 10y ago
Here in Michigan we have as part of our state constitution the ability to enact and repeal laws through voter referendum.
http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-Article-II-9 http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-Article-II-9
However, our legislature has a fun little loophole for when they are going to pass a law they know the public will try to repeal through a voter referendum. They add a token appropriation to the bill.
http://www.freep.com/story/opinion/contributors/2016/01/07/michigan-voters-disenfranchisement-local-millages/78404712/ http://www.freep.com/story/opinion/contributors/2016/01/07/m...
Some examples from that article:
"From 2011 through 2014, unnecessary appropriations shielded a number of controversial bills from voter referendum. That includes right-to-work, the repeal of item pricing, the implementation of emergency managers and myriad anti-union laws."
"This past year, the Senate added a $75,000 appropriation to a bill that would repeal prevailing wage in our state, a practice that guarantees competitive wages to people working on public projects. The pretext? That appropriation was supposedly necessary to “disseminate information” to the public about the new law. The reality? Republicans knew voters would oppose the law."
- bobwaycott 10y agoNot even surprised. There needs to be a way for citizens to take their representatives to court for depriving them of their rights.