Connecticut House Bill HJ00007

Connecticut 2019 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/10/19
• Refer: 1/10/19

Caption

Resolution Proposing An Amendment To The State Constitution To Provide For Direct Referenda.

Impact

If enacted, HJ00007 would amend the third and eleventh articles of the state constitution, introducing a mechanism for direct democracy. This would allow the electorate to challenge laws passed by the legislature, thereby providing a check on governmental authority. Supporters argue that this can lead to increased accountability among lawmakers and a better reflection of public opinion in state law. They contend that such arrangements could help to address controversial or unpopular legislation that might not otherwise see the light of day through legislative votes alone.

Summary

House Joint Resolution No. 7 (HJ00007) proposes an amendment to the state constitution to grant electors the authority to approve or reject any law or part of a law through direct referenda. This change aims to enhance democratic participation by allowing voters to have a more direct role in legislative decisions, circumventing the traditional deliberative process of the General Assembly. HJ00007 emphasizes the importance of empowering citizens to influence laws that govern their lives significantly.

Contention

Debate surrounding HJ00007 centers on concerns about the implications of direct democracy. Opponents assert that allowing direct referenda could lead to a bypassing of nuanced legislative debate and a potential flood of referenda that could overwhelm the electoral process. Critics also point to risks such as the influence of special interests and misinformation in shaping public votes on complex legislation. Thus, while the bill is rooted in the principle of voter empowerment, it raises significant questions about the practical implications of shifting certain decision-making powers away from elected representatives.

Notable_points

Discussions surrounding HJ00007 highlight both the potential benefits of direct voter engagement and the challenges of maintaining informed decision-making in a direct democracy framework. As the state considers this amendment, lawmakers and constituents alike must weigh the value of direct citizen involvement against the possible pitfalls of reduced legislative deliberation and increased susceptibility to populist trends.