Connecticut House Bill HJ00017

Connecticut 2019 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/17/19
• Refer: 1/17/19

Caption

Resolution Proposing A State Constitutional Amendment To Provide For Legislation By Direct Initiative And Referendum.

Impact

If passed, the amendment would alter Articles 3 and 11 of the Connecticut State Constitution. By enabling direct initiatives and referendums, it would give citizens more power to influence state laws and policies, allowing them to bypass traditional legislative channels. Proponents of the bill argue that this would lead to greater public engagement and accountability in government, while potentially addressing issues that may not be prioritized by elected officials.

Summary

House Joint Resolution 17 (HJ00017) proposes a state constitutional amendment aimed at enhancing public involvement in the legislative process in Connecticut. The amendment seeks to establish the mechanisms for citizens to introduce legislation directly through initiatives and to approve or reject laws via referendum. This initiative reflects a growing movement toward increasing direct democracy and empowering constituents in legislative decision-making.

Notation

Active discussions around HJ00017 indicate that while it has the potential to reshape how laws are formed in Connecticut, it also invites significant debate regarding the balance of power between direct citizen involvement and the established legislative framework.

Contention

The proposal may face opposition from those who believe it could undermine the representative legislative process, suggesting that elected officials are better equipped to navigate complex policy issues than the general populace. Critics worry that direct initiatives may lead to hasty decisions without adequate understanding of the consequences. Additionally, there may be concerns about the potential for special interest groups to exploit the initiative process to push their agendas without sufficient scrutiny.