Connecticut Local Politics

There are plenty of groups out there who are giving money to the campaign to say no to constitutional change this fall.

The state’s largest teachers union, the Connecticut Education Association, has contributed $40,000 to the group “Vote No: Protect Our Constitution.” Planned Parenthood of Connecticut has given $5,000 to the same cause, according to filings with the State Elections Enforcement Commission.

The Connecticut Constitution Convention Campaign has raised $1,110.

I’ve been disappointed with the campaign for constitutional change. This is an opportunity to make substantive changes to the constitution which would improve the way the legislature and government function outside the normal legislative process. However, the “vote yes” campaign thus far has been dominated by conservative groups who want Connecticut to have ballot initiatives, much like Massachusetts and California. Naturally, the loathsome “Family” Institute of Connecticut is involved. They, of course, want to pass an initiative banning gay marriage, because that’s all they care about.

This is a bad idea. Ballot initiatives, which are being touted by conservatives as a way to bypass a too-liberal legislature, can often lead to a lot of bad laws being passed. If people don’t like the laws being passed, they ought to vote for new representatives instead of trying to completely bypass the legislature.

So I may end up voting “no” on the constitutional question this fall. It’s too bad that the only change people seem to be able to think of is this one.

Source
Haigh, Susan. “Thousands Of Dollars Spent On Constitutional Question.” Associated Press 19 August, 2008.