Alternative Strategies for Constitutional Change

[Curtis Muraoka]

Now that the anti-Con Con alliance has apparently prevailed, and those against citizen participation will likely become further entrenched, what civil options are left?

How can the PEOPLE continue to be heard regarding dissatisfaction with constitutional language and structures?

What are the parameters for initiatives? How many petition signatures are required?

Would a law suit be a viable venue?

Which legislators might be more approachable relative to others?

If I have learned anything, it is that those in power will continue to be motivated to retain power through the capabilities afforded by money.

[Kaunaloa]

well, the most direct route would be to populate the legislature with people actually attuned to the needs of their constituents. however, since it appears the majority party [y'know, the one that OFFICIALLY opposed the concon] added seats in both houses, this is not viable until '10 at the earliest ...

initiative is only available at the city & county level at present. annnd, for what massive fun and roadblocks you are subject to once you start a petition, just ask the stop rail now folks about that [!!]
/ tho congrats is in order to the leadership of that group as they came within ~4% of outright stopping that farce. as it is, it's a huge blow to the pro-rail folks since it shows the depths of the opposition.

I'm not a fan of public policy changes via litigation, but if you can find a lawyer to try, go ahead ...

Spoke with Peter earlier today; this is an effort that started with literally nothing about 6 mo. ago and contributed to roughly 1 out of 3 voters expressing support for a concon. that ratio doesn't have to move much to gain a majority; I expect to see the online political community in this state to grow tremendously over the next 2 years and that may well be the best short-term way to effect change. The battle for '10 begins tomorrow ...