Issue Paper: Voter Initiative

VOTER INITIATIVE

Initiative proposals have become, in modern society, misleading tools of wealthy eccentrics and special interests.  Voter initiative is a separate track for passing legislation which takes lawmaking out of the hands of elected officials and puts it in the public arena.

Across the country, initiative proposals have spawned their own consulting industry.  National firms advertise “signature collection services”, “voter mobilization”, and “spin control”  for clients who can pay the price.  In some states, these firms have offered prizes to voters who sign petitions, corrupting a process that at least in theory, is designed to be more democratic.

Initiative undermines the system of branches of government and bypasses elected representatives, giving a “shortcut” to legislation for those who can afford it.  It ignores the process of debate and compromise which preserves different viewpoints.  It weakens the ability of elected officials to develop and implement comprehensive public policies.

Initiative lacks accountability. Every time the Rhode Island AFL-CIO lobbies, testifies or supports legislation, we are held accountable for our past proposals and positions.  Initiative, on the other hand, fails to hold the backers of a proposal responsible for the short or long term results.

Initiative encourages powerful interests to bypass the General Assembly and sell their issues through television, talk shows and paid consultants.  It reduces the most complicated public policy issues to sound bites while creating complex and potentially confusing ballots. 

Opposing measures could be placed on the same ballot.  The initiative process is becoming nothing more than “mercenary democracy”.

Initiative perverts the campaign finance reform progress that has been made.  Unlike the strict contribution limits for candidates and political action committees, state law places no limits on the amount wealthy individuals and special interests can spend and also allows for corporate contributions. Although the law requires that they disclose how much they spent, it does not require an explanation on how they spent it.

AFL-CIO POSITION

The Rhode Island AFL-CIO strongly opposes voter initiative proposals.