Sunday, April 10, 2022

Bill Crawford: People Denied "Sole" Right to Alter State Constitution

 The Mississippi Constitution gives the people of this state “the inherent, sole, and exclusive right … to alter and abolish their constitution and form of government whenever they deem it necessary to their safety and happiness.”

But it doesn’t say how. Long ago several constitutional conventions were held to change or re-write the constitution. Late 20thCentury efforts to hold another such convention failed. 

In 1992 the problem was addressed somewhat. The Legislature adopted and the people approved Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 616 creating a ballot initiative process to amend their Constitution.

That lasted until May 14, 2021, when the Mississippi Supreme Court threw out the successful initiative on medical marijuana and scuttled the entire initiative process. The problem was language that specifically linked the process to five congressional districts. After the 2000 Census the number of districts had fallen to four. 

After the court ruled, everybody said the process should be fixed. And all it would take was to change the language from five districts to four. 

But Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann, House Speaker Philip Gunn, and their legislative minions had different thoughts.

Both the House and Senate decided to deny, again, the people the right to amend their Constitution – the Bill of Rights be damned!  Instead, they came up with separate schemes to allow citizens to propose new statutes or changes to statutes rather than constitutional amendments. 

Then, they fought over how many citizens needed to sign petitions to get proposals on the ballot. The House, led by Speaker Philip Gunn, wanted to stick with the same method used in the old initiative process. The Senate, led by Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann, wanted to make the process harder by greatly increasing the number of citizen signatures needed.

Unwilling to agree, they did nothing.

“There was concern that … it is so easy to get people to sign,” Hosemann told Mississippi Today. “We’re trying to get a number that makes sense.” Gunn and House members thought the old number made sense.

Hmmm.

Why should it be hard for the people to put statutory referendums on the ballot?Hosemann and the Republicans who control the Senate should have to answer this question. 

Why should it be impossible for the people to exercise their right to amend the Constitution? Gunn, Hosemann, and the Republicans who control the Legislature should have to answer this one.

So much for “inherent, sole and exclusive” constitutional rights.

PS

As a lone voice in the Senate, Chris McDaniel espoused that too many of his Republican colleagues didn’t seem to trust “the people.” Indeed, the Legislature’s failure to restore the initiative process adds to an issue war chest McDaniel is building for a possible run for Lt. Governor. 

It comes on top of his furor over a Senate redistricting plan that failed to increase the GOP majority and will, effectively, throw his ardent ally state Sen. Melanie Sojourner out of office.

“By good words and fair speeches (they) deceive the hearts of the simple” – Romans 16:18.

Crawford is a syndicated columnist from Jackson.


14 comments:

Krusatyr said...

"Delbert Hosemann wanted to make (referendum) process harder by greatly increasing the number of citizen signatures needed."

Naturally Del Hose didn't want to tie his own noose.

Anonymous said...

This will only delay the medical mushroom and peyote efforts further. Talk about pain relief! Way, way more effective than maryjane and just as natural.

Anonymous said...



Believe what I say, if you pay taxes you do not want the citizens of this state voting with the ability to change laws or make laws. Period.

Anonymous said...

What is the procedure to initiate a recall vote to get Delbert our of office?

Anonymous said...

Will this slow down the medical opium efforts also?

Anonymous said...

McDaniel for LT GOV
Please nooooooo

Krusatyr said...

@11:19
...Suffers to get by on toad licking (Bufotoxin), waiting on legalized Psilocybin and Mescaline. Maybe trip-traipse to an AZ reservation to "identify" as an Apache?

Burnouts for Ballot Initiatives said...

Non-issue.

It didn't take long for the Legislature to figure out that the real hot button for the potheads was med dope and not so much restoral of the process. None of the We are the 93% stoners held any made-for-TV-newscast rallies demanding the initiative process after their holy grail bill passed.

The Legislature will pass a bill next session where the number of signatures required will be somewhere between what the House and Senate wanted. We'll vote on the proposal during the '23 general election.

But Crawford the Imp needed a reason to bash Republicans.

Anonymous said...

Whys should it be hard to put initiatives on the ballot? Here's one helluva reason: the shear ignorance of many Mississippians. I have absolutely no confidence in the average citizen to make a sound, well thought out decision.

Anonymous said...

Ask why we don’t have a popular initiative to amend the United States Constitution. It should be obvious. The founding fathers were enlightened enough to know that such an approach would not be wise. It leads to majoritarian oppression of those in the minority. It leads to suppression of those who are not in power, and potentially to a denial of basic rights. And it can lead to just some really dumb decisions. Just look at California, which has passed some really dumb initiatives. We have representative democracy for a reason rather than a pure democracy. We have a Constitution that is difficult to amend for a reason. It’s one reason the country has managed to survive as long as it has. While state constitutions are not, perhaps, as sacrosanct as the national Constitution, they likewise should not be amended just to deal with the latest political fad or popular idea.

Boel Jombaars said...

Thank goodness for Hawkins-Butler. Enshrining pot into our state constitution would have been lunacy.

Anonymous said...

8:48 pm

You totally overlook the fact that there's anything between an easy "prop" system like California and making it impossible for citizens to recall or demand action they deem needed...especially when their elected officials refuse to keep up with change and discoveries and advances in the modern world.

Those of you whose education stopped decades ago or who go on " instinct and intuition" or what you hear at the barbershop have succeeded in giving total control to one political party in nearly every State.

You actually have bought into the notion only one party ever has a better solution for anything and ignore both parties have showboats and workhorses and jackasses and serpents.

Grow up!



Anonymous said...

McDaniel is the only sane choice and voice of conservative reason for the office of Lieutenant Governor.

Here, April 10 @ 12:00 PM...I fixed your post for you:

"McDaniel for LT GOV
Please."

Anonymous said...

11:47, you seem to not respond to the actual argument against initiatives to amend a constitution. That is a different issue from recalls. Initiatives are much more based on intuition and instinct than reasoned and considered debate. The concept isn’t about party. Maybe you should take your own suggestion.


Recent Comments

Search Jackson Jambalaya

Subscribe to JJ's Youtube channel

Archives

Trollfest '09

Trollfest '07 was such a success that Jackson Jambalaya will once again host Trollfest '09. Catch this great event which will leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Othor Cain and his band, The Black Power Structure headline the night while Sonjay Poontang returns for an encore performance. Former Frank Melton bodyguard Marcus Wright makes his premier appearance at Trollfest singing "I'm a Sweet Transvestite" from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." Kamikaze will sing his new hit, “How I sold out to da Man.” Robbie Bell again performs: “Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be Bells” and “Any friend of Ed Peters is a friend of mine”. After the show, Ms. Bell will autograph copies of her mug shot photos. In a salute to “Dancing with the Stars”, Ms. Bell and Hinds County District Attorney Robert Smith will dance the Wango Tango.

Wrestling returns, except this time it will be a Battle Royal with Othor Cain, Ben Allen, Kim Wade, Haley Fisackerly, Alan Lange, and “Big Cat” Donna Ladd all in the ring at the same time. The Battle Royal will be in a steel cage, no time limit, no referee, and the losers must leave town. Marshand Crisler will be the honorary referee (as it gives him a title without actually having to do anything).


Meet KIM Waaaaaade at the Entergy Tent. For five pesos, Kim will sell you a chance to win a deed to a crack house on Ridgeway Street stuffed in the Howard Industries pinata. Don't worry if the pinata is beaten to shreds, as Mr. Wade has Jose, Emmanuel, and Carlos, all illegal immigrants, available as replacements for the it. Upon leaving the Entergy tent, fig leaves will be available in case Entergy literally takes everything you have as part of its Trollfest ticket price adjustment charge.

Donna Ladd of The Jackson Free Press will give several classes on learning how to write. Smearing, writing without factchecking, and reporting only one side of a story will be covered. A donation to pay their taxes will be accepted and she will be signing copies of their former federal tax liens. Ms. Ladd will give a dramatic reading of her two award-winning essays (They received The Jackson Free Press "Best Of" awards.) "Why everything is always about me" and "Why I cover murders better than anyone else in Jackson".

In the spirit of helping those who are less fortunate, Trollfest '09 adopts a cause for which a portion of the proceeds and donations will be donated: Keeping Frank Melton in his home. The “Keep Frank Melton From Being Homeless” booth will sell chances for five dollars to pin the tail on the jackass. John Reeves has graciously volunteered to be the jackass for this honorable excursion into saving Frank's ass. What's an ass between two friends after all? If Mr. Reeves is unable to um, perform, Speaker Billy McCoy has also volunteered as when the word “jackass” was mentioned he immediately ran as fast as he could to sign up.


In order to help clean up the legal profession, Adam Kilgore of the Mississippi Bar will be giving away free, round-trip plane tickets to the North Pole where they keep their bar complaint forms (which are NOT available online). If you don't want to go to the North Pole, you can enjoy Brant Brantley's (of the Mississippi Commission on Judicial Performance) free guided tours of the quicksand field over by High Street where all complaints against judges disappear. If for some reason you are unable to control yourself, never fear; Judge Houston Patton will operate his jail where no lawyers are needed or allowed as you just sit there for minutes... hours.... months...years until he decides he is tired of you sitting in his jail. Do not think Judge Patton is a bad judge however as he plans to serve free Mad Dog 20/20 to all inmates.

Trollfest '09 is a pet-friendly event as well. Feel free to bring your dog with you and do not worry if your pet gets hungry, as employees of the Jackson Zoo will be on hand to provide some of their animals as food when it gets to be feeding time for your little loved one.

Relax at the Fox News Tent. Since there are only three blonde reporters in Jackson (being blonde is a requirement for working at Fox News), Megan and Kathryn from WAPT and Wendy from WLBT will be on loan to Fox. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both and a torn-up Obama yard sign will entitle you to free drinks served by Megan, Wendy, and Kathryn. Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required. Just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '09 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.


Note: Security provided by INS.

Trollfest '07

Jackson Jambalaya is the home of Trollfest '07. Catch this great event which promises to leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Sonjay Poontang and his band headline the night with a special steel cage, no time limit "loser must leave town" bout between Alan Lange and "Big Cat"Donna Ladd following afterwards. Kamikaze will perform his new song F*** Bush, he's still a _____. Did I mention there was no referee? Dr. Heddy Matthias and Lori Gregory will face off in the undercard dueling with dangling participles and other um, devices. Robbie Bell will perform Her two latest songs: My Best Friends are in the Media and Mama's, Don't Let Your Babies Grow up to be George Bell. Sid Salter of The Clarion-Ledger will host "Pin the Tail on the Trial Lawyer", sponsored by State Farm.

There will be a hugging booth where in exchange for your young son, Frank Melton will give you a loooong hug. Trollfest will have a dunking booth where Muhammed the terrorist will curse you to Allah as you try to hit a target that will drop him into a vat of pig grease. However, in the true spirit of Separate But Equal, Don Imus and someone from NE Jackson will also sit in the dunking booth for an equal amount of time. Tom Head will give a reading for two hours on why he can't figure out who the hell he is. Cliff Cargill will give lessons with his .80 caliber desert eagle, using Frank Melton photos as targets. Tackleberry will be on hand for an autograph session. KIM Waaaaaade will be passing out free titles and deeds to crackhouses formerly owned by The Wood Street Players.

If you get tired come relax at the Fox News Tent. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both will entitle you to free drinks.Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required, just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '07 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.

Note: Security provided by INS
.