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Initiated measure process good for N.D. |
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Thursday, 31 January 2008 |
Letter from Peder Rice
Minot, N.D.
While the legislative power of this state shall be vested in a legislative assembly consisting of a senate and a house of representatives, the people reserve the power to propose and enact laws by the initiative.
This is how Article III of the North Dakota State Constitution begins. Many high-ranking elected officials and commentators have questioned the appropriateness of utilizing the initiated measure process to reduce our tax rates.
To answer this question, one must first look at the history of the initiated measure in North Dakota.
The initiated measure process as it is today began in 1914. The success of reforming the process from its previous marked the beginning of the Non-Partisan Era. Since that time, the process has
been strengthened and made easier to succeed.
According to the Initiative and Referendum Institute at the University of Southern California (I&R Institute), North Dakota has the most open and
accessible process in the nation.
According to the I&R Institute, since 1914, there have been 458 measures placed on the ballot, 54 percent of which have passed. Twenty-seven of these dealt primarily with taxation issues. Of the 20 measures to increase taxes, only four have passed over the years. Of the 11 measures to reduce taxes, six have passed. History has shown that the ballot is an acceptable method of making and changing tax policy. History has also shown that the people of North Dakota have shown good judgment in voting to increase or reduce their taxes.
The initiated measure is all about letting the people voice their opinion at the ballot box instead of having to testify in front of legislative committees. Americans for Prosperity believes the voters should be able to regulate the amount of taxes they are willing to pay for good government; the legislature can then figure out how to spend what they are given wisely.
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Last Updated ( Friday, 23 May 2008 )
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