The Republican-controlled legislature in North Carolina tried this by putting a couple of amendments to the state constitution on the most recent ballot, to transfer even more power from the governor (currently a Democrat) to the legislature. Fortunately these were voted down, and credit in aiding that should be given to a bi-partisan group of former governors who publicly urged voters to reject the amendments. But knowing the NC legislators, that won’t prevent them from future efforts to steal authority from both the executive and judicial branches (the latter by virtue of threats to impeach state judges who rule against them).
It never ceases to amaze me how short sighted some politicians (local and national) are, do they not realize that one day the other party will be in power and the shoe will be on the other foot so all of the precedents that they are setting and breaking will come back to bite them in the butt?
Prior to the election, NPR interviewed MIGOP chairman Ron Weisner and he said that 2 proposals that had enough valid signatures would be tackled by the legislature instead of going to ballot. Rising minimum wage and earned sick/personal time were addressed at the legislative level because, 1) He doesn’t believe in legislation from the ballot box – that’s the reason legislators are elected and 2) it takes super-majority here in Michigan to overturn laws that the people voted in.Now, those two laws are being gutted so that they will have virtually no effect on the lives of those that worked to hard to get them to ballot.I am really sick of the Republican party.
Having lived in Illinois, Missouri, and Colorado, I will make a brash statement:
Republicans have historically praised local governments over the federal. My experience has been the exact opposite.
Washington, D.C., lives under a microscope. Granted, even the microscope doesn’t pick up on everything, but a lot more things are exposed in Washington than ever gets exposed in Springfield, Denver, or Jefferson City.
In part, that’s because almost every major news organization has a Washington bureau (and often New York and L.A., as well) But other than papers actually in Denver or Jefferson City, how many news organizations have reporters dedicated to their own state’s capital beat?
I’m thinking that Colorado Springs’ Gazette doesn’t even have a full time capital reporter. After all, it’s only a couple hours away (except during rush hour).
Bottom line, I’m thinking that there’s a lot of chicanery that goes on in state and local governments that is at the very least under reported, if not missed altogether!
Zing! I’m always struck by the hypocrisy of people complaining the Electoral College or Senate are “undemocratic,” then run to the courts every time a law is passed they don’t like.
richsolano over 5 years ago
Always a way to beat the system…..
shawnc1959 over 5 years ago
The Republican-controlled legislature in North Carolina tried this by putting a couple of amendments to the state constitution on the most recent ballot, to transfer even more power from the governor (currently a Democrat) to the legislature. Fortunately these were voted down, and credit in aiding that should be given to a bi-partisan group of former governors who publicly urged voters to reject the amendments. But knowing the NC legislators, that won’t prevent them from future efforts to steal authority from both the executive and judicial branches (the latter by virtue of threats to impeach state judges who rule against them).
happyhollow over 5 years ago
Pardon me. I am always a bit slow at some things. Are we discussing State level or Federal level here?
Smitty over 5 years ago
TJ’s grin makes him look so much more cheesy.
Znox11 over 5 years ago
It never ceases to amaze me how short sighted some politicians (local and national) are, do they not realize that one day the other party will be in power and the shoe will be on the other foot so all of the precedents that they are setting and breaking will come back to bite them in the butt?
gigagrouch over 5 years ago
It’s happening in Wisconsin with outgoing governor Walker’s blessings. It’s also about to happen in Michigan.
It reflects the current political climate- viewing governance as more of a rugby scrum rather than actually doing the business of the people.
buckyteeth over 5 years ago
Prior to the election, NPR interviewed MIGOP chairman Ron Weisner and he said that 2 proposals that had enough valid signatures would be tackled by the legislature instead of going to ballot. Rising minimum wage and earned sick/personal time were addressed at the legislative level because, 1) He doesn’t believe in legislation from the ballot box – that’s the reason legislators are elected and 2) it takes super-majority here in Michigan to overturn laws that the people voted in.Now, those two laws are being gutted so that they will have virtually no effect on the lives of those that worked to hard to get them to ballot.I am really sick of the Republican party.
well-i-never over 5 years ago
Wisconsin votes today on the Republicans legislation to take powers away before Tony Evers is sworn in.
Cheapskate0 over 5 years ago
Having lived in Illinois, Missouri, and Colorado, I will make a brash statement:
Republicans have historically praised local governments over the federal. My experience has been the exact opposite.
Washington, D.C., lives under a microscope. Granted, even the microscope doesn’t pick up on everything, but a lot more things are exposed in Washington than ever gets exposed in Springfield, Denver, or Jefferson City.
In part, that’s because almost every major news organization has a Washington bureau (and often New York and L.A., as well) But other than papers actually in Denver or Jefferson City, how many news organizations have reporters dedicated to their own state’s capital beat?
I’m thinking that Colorado Springs’ Gazette doesn’t even have a full time capital reporter. After all, it’s only a couple hours away (except during rush hour).
Bottom line, I’m thinking that there’s a lot of chicanery that goes on in state and local governments that is at the very least under reported, if not missed altogether!
Right, Mr. Blagoyavech?
dutchs over 5 years ago
Zing! I’m always struck by the hypocrisy of people complaining the Electoral College or Senate are “undemocratic,” then run to the courts every time a law is passed they don’t like.