Posted by Stephanie Gricius on 9/6/2024 to
This is the title of the amendment you will be voting on:
Should the Utah Constitution be changed to strengthen the initiative process by:
-Prohibiting foreign influence on ballot initiatives and referendums.
-Clarifying the voters and legislative bodies' ability to amend laws.
If approved, state law would also be changed to:
-Allow Utah citizens 50% more time to gather signatures for a statewide referendum.
-Establish requirements for the legislature to follow the intent of a ballot initiative.
Now to answer a few of the questions I've received. First, let me be clear that this has nothing to do with redistricting. The implications of the recent court interpretation extend far beyond any one case. It paces the way for foreign entities and outside organizations with deep pockets - including special interest groups from D.C., California, China, Russia, Iran, etc - to exert influence over Utah for their own gain rather than for the benefit of Utahns.
Secondly, don't listen to the narrative being pushed by these groups that this is just a power grab by the legislature. The initiative process will remain unchanged and Utahns will continue to have the ability to propose and run ballot initiatives. This amendment allows Utahns to weigh in on the matter and prevent outside groups from pushing initiatives that serve narrow interests rather than the public good. The goal of this amendment is to clarify the state's long-standing practice and protect Utah from outside influence.
If voters approve Amendment D, it would:
- Prohibit foreign entities from contributing to ballot initiatives or referenda.
- Restore and strengthen the long-standing practice that voters, the Legislature, and local bodies may amend or repeal legislation.
- Add 20 additional days for citizens to collect signatures for the referendum process to make placing initiatives and referenda on the ballot easier. The extension is from 40 to 60 days.
Has there been a problem with foreign entities'c contribution to ballot initiatives?
There have been several issues in other states. For example, initiatives in Maine had substantial financial backing from foreigh entities, with $100 million foreign dollars spent on initiatives in their small state in the past three years. This amendment prohibits foreign entities from contributing to ballot initiatives or referenda, safeguarding Utah from the kind of external influence that has affected ballot initiatives in states like Maine and California.
Utah's recent court opinion incentivizes well-funded special interest groups, and even foreign countries, to dominate the initiative process, often pushing through measures that serve narrow interests. This concern is not hypothetical. We have already seen it beginning here in Utah as at-least 7 outside entities have begun exploring the process of changing Utah's laws for their own gain.
California has seen more than 80 ballot initiatives in the atleast decade, leading to laws that have contributed to increased criminal activity, higher taxes, a $68 billion deficit, and more. This year alone, there will be 11 ballot propositions on California's November ballot. Here are a few examples of why we don't want Utah following in California's footsteps:
- 2020 Prop 14 - Issued $5.5 billion in bonds for a state stem cell research institute
- 2020 Prop 22 - Forced app-based drivers to be independent contractors, as opposed to employees of the ride-share company.
- 2018 Prop 12 - Banned the sale of mean from animals confined in spaces that did not meet certain square-feet requirements.
- 2016 Prop 55 - Extended the Prop 30 income tax increase.
- 2016 Prop 63 - Prohibited possession of large-capacity ammunition magazines (more than 10 rounds) and required certain individuals to pass a background check in order to purchase ammunition.
- 2016 Prop 64 - Legalized recreational marijuana for persons aged 21 years or older and established sales and cultivation taxes.
- 2014 Prop 47 - Reduced penalties for some crimes. Classified certain crimes, such as looting, as misdemeanors instead of felonies unless the defendant had prior convictions for murder, rape, certain sex offenses, or certain gun crimes. It also allowed sentences to be reduced for those currently serving prison time for those crimes.
- 2012 Prop 30 - Increased state sales tax and state income tax for a limited period of time. This was later extended in 2016's Prop 55.
How much money goes into initiatives?
Here are some recent examples
- Florida - $40 million from the CEO of Trulieve cannabis company to legalize recreational marijuana
- Florida - $42 million from a group that includes out-of-state abortion activities to prohibit restrictions on abortions
- Arizona - $17 million from a group that includes ACLU, Planned Parenthood, and Bill Gates's daughter to prohibit restrictions on abortions
- Colorado - $4.7 million from a group that includes out-of-state abortion activists to require public funds to pay for abortion and abolish restrictions on abortion
- Nevada - $23 million from a group primarily funded by out-of-state groups and individuals to implement statewide ranked choice voting.
- California - $47 million paid by Lyft to raise taxes to pay for electric vehicle infrastructure
- Massachusetts - $31 million from a group that includes National Teachers Union and "1630 fund" which receives millions from foreign activists to raise taxes
- Washington - Costco spend $22 million supporting initiative I-1183 to privatize liquor sales
Ultimately, we want Utah to be decided by Utahns and not special interests that do not share our Utah values. Don't let Utah become overwhelmed with initiatives on issues like abortion, tax increases, and recreational marijuana backed by deep-pocked foreign and outside groups.
Without this amendment, we have no recourse against these outside groups and their money. Laws passed by initiatives will only be able to be changed by the courts or by another, expensive initiative.
Keep your voice and join me in voting YES on Amendment D.
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