Let Minnesota Vote!

Blocks Citizen Initiative Legislation
Party Line Vote Blocks Initiative and Referendum

Senator Chuck Wiger led a party line vote to block statewide initiative and referendum in the State Senate Elections committee last week, breaking a campaign pledge to support the proposal. Initiative supporters vow to alert Senator Wiger’s constituents about his broken promise.

“Senator Chuck Wiger proves how important it is for citizens to be able to step in when politicians become unaccountable,” said Jack Tomczak, Legislative Director for Let Minnesota Vote. “This is a perfect example of when our representational system fails us, when politicians will say one thing to the voters when they are running for office and do the exact opposite once they are elected.”

Initiative and referendum, I&R, is the process that would allow citizens to petition to place measures on a general election ballot to be voted on by the people of Minnesota. According to polls Minnesota voters support I&R at a 3 to 1 margin.

The chair of the Senate Elections committee Chuck Wiger, signed the Let Minnesota Vote questionnaire promising to support I&R in the senate. This questionnaire was sent to all legislative and gubernatorial candidates during the 2002 campaign. These responses are available at www.letminnesotavote.com.

“Senator Wiger is a huge disappointment. Here is a guy that gave his word, signed his name to support I&R when he was running and then stabs the voters in the back when he thinks nobody is looking,” said Tomczak. “We will make sure the voters in his district are notified of this betrayal.”

The bill's sponsor, Sen. Dave Kleis, R-St. Cloud, said after the vote that he isn't giving up yet and intends to use procedural tactics to bring it to the floor of the Senate for a vote. I&R continues to make progress in the House which it has passed twice before in 1999 and 2002.

Let Minnesota Vote is a nonpartisan, nonprofit, grassroots organization dedicated to a statewide initiative and referendum process. For more information please call (612) 379-3616.

		2004 Session Outcome Senator Wiger Breaks Pledge to Voters Blocks Citizen Initiative Legislation Party Line Vote Blocks Initiative and Referendum Senator Chuck Wiger led a party line vote to block statewide initiative and referendum in the State Senate Elections committee last week, breaking a campaign pledge to support the proposal. Initiative supporters vow to alert Senator Wiger’s constituents about his broken promise. “Senator Chuck Wiger proves how important it is for citizens to be able to step in when politicians become unaccountable,” said Jack Tomczak, Legislative Director for Let Minnesota Vote. “This is a perfect example of when our representational system fails us, when politicians will say one thing to the voters when they are running for office and do the exact opposite once they are elected.” Initiative and referendum, I&R, is the process that would allow citizens to petition to place measures on a general election ballot to be voted on by the people of Minnesota. According to polls Minnesota voters support I&R at a 3 to 1 margin. The chair of the Senate Elections committee Chuck Wiger, signed the Let Minnesota Vote questionnaire promising to support I&R in the senate. This questionnaire was sent to all legislative and gubernatorial candidates during the 2002 campaign. These responses are available at www.letminnesotavote.com. “Senator Wiger is a huge disappointment. Here is a guy that gave his word, signed his name to support I&R when he was running and then stabs the voters in the back when he thinks nobody is looking,” said Tomczak. “We will make sure the voters in his district are notified of this betrayal.” The bill's sponsor, Sen. Dave Kleis, R-St. Cloud, said after the vote that he isn't giving up yet and intends to use procedural tactics to bring it to the floor of the Senate for a vote. I&R continues to make progress in the House which it has passed twice before in 1999 and 2002. Let Minnesota Vote is a nonpartisan, nonprofit, grassroots organization dedicated to a statewide initiative and referendum process. For more information please call (612) 379-3616.