Ballot initiative proposal a good idea

Gov. Tony Evers wants voters to have a greater say when it comes to setting laws, amendments and shaping public policy. This is a good idea whose time has come in Wisconsin.

As part of his budget package, Evers is calling on the legislature to implement a ballot initiative process which would allow Wisconsin citizens to enact legislation and state constitutional amendments directly without going through the legislature. Such measures instead would go on statewide ballots for the voters to decide directly.

Wisconsin has long been held hostage by legislative cowardice at the highest levels. A good example of this is the common-sense and broadly bipartisan efforts to close so-called Dark Store loopholes in the state law which allow multibillion dollar retailers to leave homeowners picking up the tab by reducing the taxable values on their commercial property.

Provisions to close these loopholes are widely supported by the public and in private conversations legislators express support for taking action. However, rather than face the fury of the Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce (WMC), legislative leadership has torpedoed any chances at real reform.

The same sort of legislative cowardice and gamesmanship is at play when it comes to finding real solutions to protect the health and safety of mothers in need of reproductive care, implementing red flag laws to keep guns out of the hands of the severely mentally ill, and decriminalization of marijuana, among numerous other issues. It was especially prevalent during the COVID-19 pandemic when, rather than leading, the state legislature decided to stay home and whine on social media about what the Governor was doing when he was showing up for work each day.

Currently 26 states, along with Washington, D.C., have some sort of statewide initiation or referendum process that allows voters to either enact and/or repeal legislation. These measures are especially common among western states, with all but Hawaii having ballot measure processes in place. There are also ballot initiatives in places like Ohio, Michigan, Illinois and Florida which are broadly similar to Wisconsin in demographics and politics.

A ballot initiative opportunity would serve as a check on the powers that be and would be an effective tool to undermine attempts by legislators to put their reelection campaigns and political aspirations ahead of addressing the problems and concerns of Wisconsin residents.

Wisconsin has a proud and long tradition of being a progressive leader when it comes to citizen involvement in the election process. A ballot initiative proposal is a logical next step to ensure that the legislature and state government in general continue to reflect the will of the people rather than special interests.

In the past year, Wisconsin voters were bombarded at each election with spurious constitutional amendments aimed more at inciting rage and increasing campaign donations than solving any real crisis.

It is time for Wisconsin voters to take the steering wheel from the self-serving legislative leadership and bring the will of the people back to the people’s house.