The document discusses the initiative and referendum process (I&R), which allows citizens in some states to directly propose legislation or constitutional amendments via petition, and vote to repeal existing laws. It argues that I&R is needed in Texas to give citizens more voice and limit the influence of special interests, citing polls showing most Texans support I&R. It outlines the process required to amend the Texas constitution to establish I&R rights for citizens.

1. Initiative and Referendum (I&R) by Art Bedford - what it is and why Texans need it

3. SPECIAL INTERESTS TEXAS LEGISLATIVE SESSION

4. Our Legislators At Work 2 NOTES : (1) A regular session of our TEXAS Legislature is 140 DAYS long. (2) TOTAL BILLS PROPOSED/PASSED means NEW LAWS PROPOSED/PASSED. ? 1458 5619 2011 $230M 1601 5544 2001 $276M 1384 5592 2003 $304M 1389 5484 2005 $348M 1482 6190 2007 $344M 1459 7419 2009 LOBBYIST SPENDING TOTAL BILLS PASSED TOTAL BILLS PROPOSED YEAR

5. Who writes or reads the bills?

6. I&R = Tool Constitution I&R Special Interests

12. 8

14. I&R vs Special Interests SPECIAL INTEREST CONTROL

15. I&R = Issues we care about

18. I&R – Poll Question ““ In 24 states, citizens can sign a petition to put laws or constitutional amendments on the ballot to be decided by the voters at a statewide election. This process is known as initiative and referendum. Would you favor or oppose the initiative and referendum process in your state?” Favor_____ Oppose____ Undecided____ Pulse Opinion Research random survey of 500 adult Texans, July 2010 12

19. I&R – Poll Results 13 23 10 67 Female 14 17 69 Male Gender Undecided Oppose Favor DEMOGRAPHIC PERCENTAGES

20. I&R – Poll Results 14 29 14 57 65 + 14 10 76 40-49 16 14 71 50-64 19 16 65 30-39 31 0 69 18-29 Age Undecided Oppose Favor DEMOGRAPHIC PERCENTAGES

21. I&R – Poll Results 15 22 12 66 Other 31 6 62 Black 17 14 69 White Race Undecided Oppose Favor DEMOGRAPHIC PERCENTAGES

22. I&R – Poll Results 16 22 12 66 Other 19 22 59 Democrat 23 7 70 Republican Political Affiliation Undecided Oppose Favor DEMOGRAPHIC PERCENTAGES

23. I&R – Poll Results 17 45 0 55 Unsure 10 29 61 Liberal 24 13 63 Moderate 19 8 73 Conservative Ideology Undecided Oppose Favor DEMOGRAPHIC PERCENTAGES

24. I&R – Poll Results 18 20 11 68 $75K – $100K 10 24 66 >$100K 30 9 61 Unsure 13 9 78 $60K - $75K 27 3 70 $40K - $60K 15 25 60 $20K - $40K 24 3 72 <$20K Income Undecided Oppose Favor DEMOGRAPHIC PERCENTAGES

25. I&R – Poll Results 19 22 14 64 Unmarried Voters 18 13 69 Married Voters 19 13 68 Likely Voters Undecided Oppose Favor DEMOGRAPHIC PERCENTAGES

29. William Janklow Governor of South Dakota 1979-1987 &quot;The world is spattered with unrest: rebel forces, civil disobedience, war, civil war, tyranny, and genocide. Any place average citizens have no voice or are losing ground in the fight to control their own lives is one place too many. If we believe in liberty, if we believe in the dignity of the human spirit, if we believe in justice for all, then citizen lawmaking is as essential to the future as it was to the past. This process is terribly important to the well being of this country. It must accompany us into the new century. By reviewing and honing the process, and most importantly by understanding and using these tools of democracy, we can preserve and even expand every citizen’s right to have a voice in the government.&quot;