State Feed: Connecticut

Former State Legislator Honored for Work to Bring Initiative Process to Connecticut

Wed, 20 Oct 2010 12:46:50 -0400

(LAKE RIDGE, VA) – Today, Citizens in Charge Foundation, a national voter rights group focused on the ballot initiative and referendum process, presented former Connecticut State Legislator John Woodcock with the October 2010 Lilburne Award. John is being honored this month for his ongoing efforts to bring statewide initiative and referendum rights to the citizens of Connecticut.

Connecticut Voters Want Initiative Rights

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 12:00:17 -0500

Citizens around the country are clamoring for more of a voice in their government. They are tired of being dictated to from Washington, DC and state capitols around the country. Populist sentiment is building, and one state that illustrates that quite well is Connecticut. John Woodcock III is the chairman of the Connecticut Citizens for Ballot Initiative, a group that is pushing to bring initiative & referendum rights to the citizens of Connecticut.

Connecticut: People Deserve a Stronger Voice

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 16:18:29 -0500

The following appeared as an op-ed in Monday’s Connecticut Post:

What If Connecticut Had Initiative & Referendum Rights?

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 14:18:45 -0400

If Connecticut had state-wide initiative & referendum rights, citizens could hold accountable a government that promised not to raise the state’s tax level above a certain percentage.

Citizens in Charge Foundation President Paul Jacob, recently wrote one of his daily Common Sense columns about Connecticut’s tax troubles and the affect they can have on a state:

Connecticut used to be one of the go-to places for escaping state income taxes.

What If Connecticut Had Initiative & Referendum Rights?

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 14:18:45 -0400

If Connecticut had state-wide initiative & referendum rights, citizens could hold accountable a government that promised not to raise the state’s tax level above a certain percentage.

Citizens in Charge Foundation President Paul Jacob, recently wrote one of his daily Common Sense columns about Connecticut’s tax troubles and the affect they can have on a state:

Connecticut used to be one of the go-to places for escaping state income taxes.

Signatures gathered for alcohol petition in Connecticut town

Thu, 30 Jul 2009 10:39:49 -0400

Active supporters of allowing the sale of alcoholic beverages in town — other than in restaurants — are poised to raise a toast and cheer. The citizens group Wilton for Wine, which advocates permitting package stores here, reports that it believes it has gathered more than enough signatures to place the question on the ballot at this fall’s town election. “We’ve been overwhelmed with how positive the response has been,” said Barbara Bangser, a member of the group, referring to the petition process that has been under way this summer.

Fairfield, CT Referendum Fails to Get Enough Signatures

Wed, 20 May 2009 11:35:38 -0400

Supporters of an effort to put the town’s $139 million school budget to a referendum failed to gain enough signatures. Supporters gained 1,225 of the 1,833 signatures needed to trigger a referendum.

Read the story from the Connecticut Post

Marriage debate prompts calls for initiative process in Connecticut

Thu, 14 May 2009 10:01:56 -0400

A coalition of same-sex marriage opponents and taxpayer groups is trying to persuade voters to approve a state constitutional convention in the hopes of bringing the initiative petition process to Connecticut.

Read the story from Fox News

Mayor plans $5.3 million in budget cuts (Referendum)

Fri, 20 Feb 2009 12:03:30 -0500

Mayor Melody A. Currey released a budget proposal Thursday that would cut spending by $5.3 million, against the backdrop of what she called “the worst economy since the Great Depression.”

The proposed 2009-10 budget of about $151.4 million also would not raise taxes, keeping the tax rate at 31.67 mills.

Group pushing for changes to city charter

Wed, 04 Feb 2009 10:56:56 -0500

If a group called Coalition for Public Referendum is successful, Nacogdoches voters could soon have a greater voice in the legislative decisions of the city.

The group is collecting signatures to place an item on the ballot in May’s city election that would amend the city charter to provide for initiative, referendum and recall measures.

Rell favors constitutional convention

Sat, 27 Sep 2008 23:36:34 -0400

The controversial statewide effort to hold the state’s first Constitutional Convention since 1965 got a boost on Friday when Gov. M. Jodi Rell said she favors the November-ballot issue.

She said it would be a good way to create a new initiative-and-referendum law to allow voters to use the ballot box to change government and force votes on new laws, as is done in states like California.

The anti-abortion Family Institute of Connecticut Action said Friday that Rell’s endorsement is good news in the weeks before Connecticut voters see the ballot question on Nov. 4.

Fighting A Ballot Question

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 15:01:43 -0400

Tens of thousands of dollars is being raised in an effort to persuade Connecticut voters to reject a proposal on the November ballot to reopen the state constitution.

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.

Our View: Ballot initiatives could give voters greater voice

Wed, 06 Aug 2008 15:10:39 -0400

Should Connecticut citizens have the right to petition issues onto a ballot for a statewide vote? That’s the question that will be asked if voters approve a referendum question in November calling for a constitutional convention.

Group Seeks to Win Right to Petition

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 10:28:52 -0400

Connecticut’s form of government should be changed to allow direct referendum and initiative similar to California, according to a new group that’s pushing for the first constitutional convention since 1965.

The Constitution Convention Campaign, during a news conference Thursday attended by several members of the General Assembly, wants Connecticut to vote “yes” this fall to the statewide ballot question “Shall the state Constitution be revised or amended?”

Why Voters Shouldn't Pass Laws

Tue, 01 Jul 2008 22:06:14 -0400

Ardent special-interest groups are pushing to have the right of initiative written into the Connecticut Constitution — a formula for ill-conceived lawmaking that would wrest important policy considerations away from elected officials.