We need a constitutional amendment

[wellstone dem]

That allows a governor to veto a ballot amendment, and would then require that legislators ha e enough votes to override a veto, if they want to get something on the ballot without the governors approval,

Or, just require a 2/3 vote of legislature to put anything on the ballot. Governing by amendment is decisive and inefficient.

[FiveGoodMen]

1. I like the second proposal better

Putting it in the Governor's hands gives an awful lot of power to whoever's doing that job at the moment (it won't always be Dayton -- or even a Dem).

The 2/3 vote should be a little more consistent.

Generally, I don't think these ballot amendments are a good idea. They allow demagogues to flood the airwaves with propaganda and bypass the normal legislative process. Worse, they don't change laws, they change the constitution.

Thankfully, neither one passed this time, but I'd be happier if it were almost impossible to do this at all.

[thefool_wa]

2. They don't "bypass the normal legislative process"

In states where they are allowed they are PART of the normal legislative process.

I agree that veto is too much power in the governors hands, especially when these measures have the ability to force the state governments hands when they are acting in opposition to the people's wishes. It basically says 1 person knows better than the voters and allows state governments to suppress the voice that their constitutions were crafted to empower.

[trotsky]

3. Amending the constitution is a serious issue.

It should require more than a bare majority in the legislature to put before the people - and NO amendment that affects people's rights should EVER be put to a popular vote! That's insane.

[dflprincess]

4. And once on the ballot it should take more that just a simple majority

of those voting for it to pass.

[trotsky]

5. Great point. I agree. n/t

[question everything]

6. We need to follow the path of amending the Federal Constitution

http://www.usconstitution.net/constam.html

It has to be approved by 2/3 of both House and Senate and then by 3/4 of the states.

A few years ago I put it as proposal during my caucus. It went to a vote during the senate convention but have no idea what happened.

I suggested it because I knew that something like what we had this year was going to happen.

The ballot measures in California have made this state ungovernable.

[daveMN]

7. Require more than a simple majority of the voters

perhaps 60%. Amendments should not be used to legislate, the function of the constitution is only supposed to be to define the system of government and protect civil liberties.