Connecticut Local Politics

As many of you already know, there will be a question on the ballot this November asking whether or not Connecticut should hold a constitutional convention. This is mandated by the constitution itself. Every twenty years, this question is asked. In 1986, the answer voters delivered was no.

And the Secretary of the State thinks that should be the answer again this time.

“As chief elections official for the state of Connecticut, it is my duty to inform voters that this question will appear on the ballot,” said Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz, “however, in my opinion, a convention to amend our state Constitution is not necessary. I support our constitution as written. Any amendments or revisions can be made by the people’s representatives in the General Assembly and then approved by a majority of voters.”

And yet many find the amending process cumbersome and time-consuming. Most proposed amendments never make it to the floor of the General Assembly, despite the possibility that a majority of voters would support them. There may be changes that voters want to see in the General Assembly itself, that for the obvious reasons wouldn’t make it to the floor there.

In essence, the convention is an opportunity, one of the few that we have, for the citizens to bypass the legislature. So the question is, should we?

And if so, what issues should be raised there? What do citizens want to see happen that isn’t? Should the constitution be changed to:

Add term limits for legislators?
Change the format and duration of the General Assembly’s sessions,
Allow for recalling elected officials?
Allow citizen legislation and referendums?
Abolish the income tax?
Replace senators in special elections?

…To name a few. I’d support a few of these, such as changing the format of the General Assembly in some way to make it easier for people who work to also be legislators, and for the legislature to meet more consistently (such as the “Dal90 Plan” mentioned here), term limits, and special elections for U.S. Senate replacements. And I very much doubt the General Assembly will ever get around to them. A constitutional convention, on the other hand, might.

I’ll be voting yes. You?