AUDIO

Rhoades Testifies for Senate Panel on Initiative and Referendum Legislation

HARRISBURG – Senator James J. Rhoades (R-29) testified before the Senate State Government Committee today on his proposal to give Pennsylvania voters the power to propose laws and reject bills passed by the General Assembly.

Senate Bill 137 would amend the state Constitution to give Pennsylvanians the options of initiative and referendum. Initiative would allow Pennsylvanians to propose laws or amendments to the Constitution and give voters the authority to enact those proposals independent of the General Assembly. Referendum would allow Pennsylvanians to approve or reject legislation that is approved by the General Assembly and signed into law.

"Initiative and referendum will give individual citizens a greater voice in the legislative process, and it will also help government be more responsive to those we serve," Rhoades said. "Increasing the public's say in the laws we pass in Harrisburg is a great way to stimulate public involvement and promote greater understanding of the issues we face."

Rhoades said that 27 states give their citizens the power of initiative, referendum, or both.

Under Rhoades' legislation, an initiative can be put on the ballot by submitting a petition signed by an equal or greater number of voters to 8 percent of the total votes for all candidates for Governor at the last gubernatorial election for statutes, and 10 percent of the total gubernatorial voters for amendments to the state Constitution. The measure would then go on the ballot in the next primary or general election.

A referendum measure must be proposed by presenting to the Secretary of the Commonwealth a certified petition with a total number of signatures equal or greater than 8 percent of the votes for all candidates for Governor at the last gubernatorial election. The proposal must be submitted within 120 days of the enactment of the law, and the question would then appear on the ballot in the next primary or general election.