Two years ago, I wrote a posting for this site, suggesting that citizen initiative and referendum was a concept whose time had come. Unfortunately the PA General Assembly didn't share my enthusiasm, as the legislation that was introduced during the 2005-2006 Legislative Session, never got out of Committee.
The idea, is still being considered, however the end result is still the same, because the current legislation (SB 137 PN 182), not only didn't make it out of the Senate State Government Committee, but it was TABLED, which means it's not going anywhere anytime soon.
Just for the record, SB 137 reads in part: "The legislative power of this Commonwealth shall be vested in the Senate and the House of Representatives, but the people reserve to themselves the power to propose laws and amendments to the Constitution, and to adopt or reject the same at the polls, independent of the General Assembly."
The legislation also provides--"An initiative measure may be proposed by presenting to the Secretary of the Commonwealth a petition that sets forth the text of the proposed statute or amendment to the Constitution and is certified by the Secretary of the Commonwealth to have been signed by registered electors equal to 8%, in the case of the statute and 10%, in the case of an amendment to the Constitution, of the votes for all candidates for Governor at the last gubernatorial election."
If we are serious about reforming the way business is being done in Harrisburg, then serious consideration must be given to Senate Bill 137.
As I previously wrote--The Government answers to the People--The People DO NOT answer to the Government!
Citizen Initiative & Referendum is a reasonable and responsible means of reigning in an out of control State Legislature.
I encourage every citizen of Pennsylvania to contact their State Senator and urge him/her to support Senate Bill 137.
The idea, is still being considered, however the end result is still the same, because the current legislation (SB 137 PN 182), not only didn't make it out of the Senate State Government Committee, but it was TABLED, which means it's not going anywhere anytime soon.
Just for the record, SB 137 reads in part: "The legislative power of this Commonwealth shall be vested in the Senate and the House of Representatives, but the people reserve to themselves the power to propose laws and amendments to the Constitution, and to adopt or reject the same at the polls, independent of the General Assembly."
The legislation also provides--"An initiative measure may be proposed by presenting to the Secretary of the Commonwealth a petition that sets forth the text of the proposed statute or amendment to the Constitution and is certified by the Secretary of the Commonwealth to have been signed by registered electors equal to 8%, in the case of the statute and 10%, in the case of an amendment to the Constitution, of the votes for all candidates for Governor at the last gubernatorial election."
If we are serious about reforming the way business is being done in Harrisburg, then serious consideration must be given to Senate Bill 137.
As I previously wrote--The Government answers to the People--The People DO NOT answer to the Government!
Citizen Initiative & Referendum is a reasonable and responsible means of reigning in an out of control State Legislature.
I encourage every citizen of Pennsylvania to contact their State Senator and urge him/her to support Senate Bill 137.
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