2000 League of Women Voters position on Charter Commission

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The League of Women Voters of Minnesota has along-standing position in opposition to initiative and referendum. Our founders envisioned a representative demeocracy on the federal level and since its founding, our state and local governments have benefited greatly by es- tablishing and maintaining that model. Minnesota has swell-deserved reputation nationally for an open government and enlightened public policy made by equally enlightened public policy makers. League believes that consideration and enactment of complex public policy is most appropriately done in the legislative arena. There our elected representatives, reflecting a wide range of political views can hear arguments, study implications, make judgments and vote accordingly. Rare is the citizen, regardless of how con- scientious and deliberative, who has access to as much information and as many viewpoints as the members of our legislature and the time to devote to them. Without the due deliberation of the legislative process, often bad public policy can result. The form of direct democracy that is I&R encourages conflict and competition and attempts to expand the base of participants. Indirect democracy encourages stability, consensus and compromise and seeks institutional arrangements that in- sulate fundamental principles from momentary passions or fluctuations in opinion. Historically, initiative and referendum was introduced early in the century to correct the evils of corruption and bribery, political machines and to advance the cause of populism in the face of domination by big-monied interests. It has been voted on three times in Minnesota on the state level and has been defeated each time. The last vote was in 1980. Minnesota has the most advanced campaign finance laws and scrutiny of lob- bying in addition to gift ban provisions in the nation. Initiative and referendum would put big money back in control of issues since there can be no regulation of spending on issue campaigns. Initiatives have threatened the rights of minorities in several states. There is no protection from the "tyranny of the majority." In 1992 Colorado voters approved an initiative overturning local ordinances protecting gays from discrimination. A recent example of Initiative and Referendum gone wrong occurred in Washington State last year. In November voters ap- proved a propositon that removed the Motor Vehicle Excise Tax ($750 million in tax revenues) and stipulated that no new tax could be enacted to replace it. Until 1998, when it became dedi- cated for roads, ferries, mass transit and other transportation needs, revenues from the vehicle excise tax went into the gen- eral fund. In addition in 1998 the Sales Tax Equalization Fund established in 1972 for promotion of public health was rolled into this dedicated fund. When the Motor Vehicle Excise Tax was abolished, the sales tax equalization was lost as well, ~~