Something Frank reported really bugs me. The voucher proponents are continually making these stealthy claims about “emotional democracy” and the “misinformation” put out by teachers. Translation: You were stupid or deceived if you disagreed with us. Senators Bramble and Dayton clearly outlined their dislike for referendums for 5 minutes or so at the public meeting I attended. The Senate is pushing SB54 to make it even more difficult to push through voter initiatives and voter referendums in all levels of government except state referendums to avoid public scrutiny.

Tighter restrictions on the public’s ability to put issues or laws up to vote are unnecessary at best, and an abuse of power at worst. November was the first state referendum since the ’70’s, and I can recall only a handful of local or state initiatives in the last decade. Claiming that these are being abused is a self-serving. As people researched and got informed about vouchers, they were more likely to vote against the voucher bill. As Steve Urquhart, the sponsor of the voucher bill, put it: the referendum process is sound and acts as a rip cord for the public, or another check and balance.