Observers of initiative process in California, Michigan point out problems with process embraced by Evers

Would laws based on public petition campaigns and referendums do a better job of giving Wisconsin citizens a voice in legislation? Not necessarily, say observers in other states that have the process.

“It’s not direct democracy, really,” said Lance Christensen, a long-time legislative consultant and budget analyst in California. “It’s more of an oligarchy or plutocracy.”

Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers has renewed his proposal that legislators allow themselves to be cut out of the process of making state law and permit bills to be passed or statutes to be repealed by petition and referendum, an idea that the Legislature’s leaders dismissed as dead on arrival. After Evers forced lawmakers into session to consider the idea last session, legislators dismissed the notion within minutes.

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