[Speed Gibson,
Friday May 27, 2005 at 12:06am]
Initiative and Referendum
Initiative and Referendum was one of the four conditions attached to Governor Pawlenty's proposed tax increase on cigarettes. The Minneapolis Star Tribune editorialized today that it's a bad idea. I agree. I even agree with their overall reasoning.
The question not asked was, why do a sizable number of Minnesotans want it? We're well aware of how I & R has become political sport/theatre in California. Presumably, the requirements would be raised to prevent such frivolous use. After all, we only want it for the big things.
Like school vouchers. Or the Taxpayer's Bill of Rights (TABOR). But even if passed, an activist Court might somehow strike them down. The Left meanwhile might impose a State-wide smoking ban or raise taxes.
It is amusing to note that the boogy-man examples the Strib described would all in fact be good for Minnesota. But alas, the Strib is still correct. It doesn't work well anywhere else and there is no reason to think it will work here. Slick political ads in support of foolish Initiatives can make fools of us all.
The question not asked was, why do a sizable number of Minnesotans want it? We're well aware of how I & R has become political sport/theatre in California. Presumably, the requirements would be raised to prevent such frivolous use. After all, we only want it for the big things.
Like school vouchers. Or the Taxpayer's Bill of Rights (TABOR). But even if passed, an activist Court might somehow strike them down. The Left meanwhile might impose a State-wide smoking ban or raise taxes.
It is amusing to note that the boogy-man examples the Strib described would all in fact be good for Minnesota. But alas, the Strib is still correct. It doesn't work well anywhere else and there is no reason to think it will work here. Slick political ads in support of foolish Initiatives can make fools of us all.