Democracy Rising PA Return to Taxpayers for Refererdum

Tim Potts recommends:
In 2004 we organized around the idea that so many things were wrong with our state government that a constitutional convention was the most efficient and rational way to debate and decide those issues. Five years later, we add to that the fact that the legislature, the executive and the judiciary have done nothing to remedy those problems, despite overwhelming citizen sentiment for change.

Unfortunately, we have not reached the tipping point that will get people as angry about the cost of corruption as they were about the Pay Raise of 2005. But I think we’re getting closer. When the Attorney General concludes the Bonus Scandal investigation and the other investigations, people may be ready to demand a constitutional convention as a requirement for their lawmakers to stay in office. Or it may take the cost of corruption to reach a certain level before people demand change.

There are two important things for us to do. First, we have to prepare ourselves by being good citizens. That means picking some issues that we care about – elections, campaign finance, open records, etc.—and paying attention to what lawmakers are doing or refusing to do. Second, we have to hold each and every lawmaker accountable. Do those who represent you support or oppose a constitutional convention? If they support it, what are they doing to make it happen? Are they sponsoring or co-sponsoring legislation? Are they publicly asking committee chairs and leadership to have a vote on proposals for a constitutional convention? Are they having press conferences both in Harrisburg and in their districts? Are they issuing news releases, holding town meetings and publicly featuring their support for a constitutional convention in other ways? Are representatives trying to build support among senators, including their own? Are senators trying to build support among representatives, including their own?

When enough citizens insist on their lawmakers answering those questions, lawmakers will put a referendum on the ballot so that voters can authorize or reject a constitutional convention. That’s the first real question: Do lawmakers trust citizens with their own constitution?

Feel free to link to our web site and to use the paragraphs above as a statement from Democracy Rising PA on your own web site. And thank you for the work you are doing.

Tim