|
|
|
| |
Daily Muse: TIME TO ENACT INITIATIVE AND REFERENDUM
Posted on Friday, January 29 @ 12:57:39 PST by dailymuse |
|
|
|
|
| |
 Jan. 29, 2010
Here's a challenge for New Jersey lawmakers.
On NJ101.5, Gov, Chris Christie reiterated his campaign promise that he would support initiative and referendum. I&R would give New Jerseyans the ability to place public questions on the balllot and be decided directly by the voters.
New Jersey Republicans have, as recently as a few years ago, run on a platform that called for N.J. to adopt I&R. Of course, it was also New Jersey Republicans who promised I&R when they were swept into veto proof majorities in the wake of Gov. Florio's $2.8 billion tax hike -- and then failed to deliver.
But now is a new day.
And part of turning Trenton upside down means empowering the taxpayer.
After the new budget is enacted, the Legislature should turn its attention to placing initiative and referendum on the ballot.
And we would hope that Gov. Christie, who seemed to indicate Wednesday that he would leave it up to the Legislature to initiate action, would instead use his bully pulpit to push I&R forward.
As the governor has said, symbolism is important. And giving citizens the ability to have a direct say in their government, to have the ability to -- as Christie said, "rein in a government that has gone out of control," would be a powerful symbol.
Initiative and referendum is one more reform that is needed in Trenton. It should be made part of a "People's Agenda" of reforms to make it clear that the special interests are no longer in charge in Trenton.
Now let's see who takes the lead.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
| | The comments are owned by the poster. We aren't responsible for their content. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
No Comments Allowed for Anonymous, please register |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
Article Rating
Average Score: 1
Votes: 1
|
|
|
