Libertarians, first or second-cousins to Republicans in Alabama, seem to be the most passionate advocates of Recall and Referendum.
The first would allow voters to "un-elect" someone who has proved a disappointment in office, without having to wait for the end of the election cycle.
The second allows citizens to collect signatures to put a bill before legislators for a vote.
In my 35 years in Alabama, I have interviewed or talked with many people who wanted voters to have those powers.
But the legislature itself that would have to make it happen.
In Wisconsin, there may be an indication why the new GOP Majority Alabama Legislature (and The Democratic Majority who preceded them) hasn't rushed to embrace them. Legislators there are about to face recall elections, and are now rushing to pass their favorite laws before they are tossed out of office.
It's easy to push through your agenda (except, apparently, to revoke a 61% pay raise) when you have super-majorities in both houses. But Alabama is a poor state, and not just a poor black state. And when you chop away at programs that help Gramma or Cuz or the poor old neighbor lady, and refuse to fund public education at a sufficient level for the kids to learn without spending time selling cookies to pay for their pencils, recall is always lurking around the corner to bite you back.
Unless you've never allowed voters to have that power in the first place.
The first would allow voters to "un-elect" someone who has proved a disappointment in office, without having to wait for the end of the election cycle.
The second allows citizens to collect signatures to put a bill before legislators for a vote.
In my 35 years in Alabama, I have interviewed or talked with many people who wanted voters to have those powers.
But the legislature itself that would have to make it happen.
In Wisconsin, there may be an indication why the new GOP Majority Alabama Legislature (and The Democratic Majority who preceded them) hasn't rushed to embrace them. Legislators there are about to face recall elections, and are now rushing to pass their favorite laws before they are tossed out of office.
It's easy to push through your agenda (except, apparently, to revoke a 61% pay raise) when you have super-majorities in both houses. But Alabama is a poor state, and not just a poor black state. And when you chop away at programs that help Gramma or Cuz or the poor old neighbor lady, and refuse to fund public education at a sufficient level for the kids to learn without spending time selling cookies to pay for their pencils, recall is always lurking around the corner to bite you back.
Unless you've never allowed voters to have that power in the first place.
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