Well, California has a distinct problem - our state allows for any law to be on the ballot given that it receives enough signatures. This is a double edged sword. It allows for the constituents to put issues to vote that the state legislature is unwilling to put up for vote or pass as a law, but it also allows for corporations and other people to push legislation that ultimately benefits them. I don’t know the full story behind this one, but it likely was pushed forward with good intentions but got soured by the typical political process.
It’s a mix, I am not sure if it causes more good or harm. Would be interesting to see a review paper on the outcomes.
A recent example of how this turned out negatively - the California government moved against uber, lyft, etc. to reclassify workers to try and force the companies to provide health insurance. The companies responded by spending millions of dollars to get signatures, push propaganda, and put confusing wording on the ballot to undo this. They spun it as worker’s rights, more or less. It ended up passing by just a few percentage points.
That’s unfortunate :(
I’m starting to get the feeling that basically all progressive US laws are just half-assed.
Well, California has a distinct problem - our state allows for any law to be on the ballot given that it receives enough signatures. This is a double edged sword. It allows for the constituents to put issues to vote that the state legislature is unwilling to put up for vote or pass as a law, but it also allows for corporations and other people to push legislation that ultimately benefits them. I don’t know the full story behind this one, but it likely was pushed forward with good intentions but got soured by the typical political process.
Interesting, I didn’t this kind of legislatory process existed. It sounds like it has lots of potential if implemented properly.
It’s a mix, I am not sure if it causes more good or harm. Would be interesting to see a review paper on the outcomes.
A recent example of how this turned out negatively - the California government moved against uber, lyft, etc. to reclassify workers to try and force the companies to provide health insurance. The companies responded by spending millions of dollars to get signatures, push propaganda, and put confusing wording on the ballot to undo this. They spun it as worker’s rights, more or less. It ended up passing by just a few percentage points.
Looks like there’s a list of some of what’s been passed via statewide initiative on the ca.gov website. https://elections.cdn.sos.ca.gov/ballot-measures/pdf/approval-percentages-initiatives.pdf
EDIT: looks like ballotpedia has a much more comprehensive list for each year. Here’s 2022
Interesting. Maybe someone should try to use this system to reform it against corporate lobbying.
Fantastic idea, how do you think that would be possible?
Honestly, I don’t have much of an idea…