[From the New York Times, July 11, 1977]

NATIONAL INITIATIVE BALLOT LAW WILL BE INTRODUCED BY ABOUREZK

WASHINGTON, July 10 (AP).—A constitutional amendment to let the people enact national laws through the initiative process is being proposed by Senator James Abourezk, Democrat of South Dakota.

In the amendment, citizens, if they can gather enough signatures of registered voters, could have a proposed law placed on the ballot. Under the amendment, a proposed law could be placed on the ballot if a petition were signed by registered voters equal to 3 percent of the ballots cast in the last Presidential election, including the required number from each of 10 states.

Senator Abourezk, who said that he would introduce the amendment tomorrow when Congress returns from its July 4th recess, said that 23 states had extended the right of initiative to their citizens. The first was South Dakota in 1898.

"Its workability as a democratic tool has been clearly and repeatedly proved," he said. "I believe its extension to the Federal level is justified and long overdue."

[From the New York Times, July 12, 1977]

INITIATING OF LAWS BY PUBLIC PROPOSED

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT IS URGED BY SOUTH DAKOTA SENATOR

WASHINGTON, July 11.-Senator James Abourezk, Democrat of South Dakota, introduced today a proposed constitutional amendment that would allow citizens to initiate Federal laws and enact them through a national election.

The proposed amendment would give citizens the right to propose and enact proposals that have been ignored by elected officials, but it would reserve for Congress the right to declare war, call up troops and propose constitutional amendments.

Laws adopted through the process would be subject to judicial review and could be changed by Congressional action. However, in the first two years following enactment, such laws could only be repealed or amended by Congress by a two-thirds vote in both chambers. Thereafter, the laws could be changed by a majority vote, with the President retaining his veto power.

The amendment would require citizens petitioning for a new law up to 18 months to gather signatures in at least 10 states, equal in number to 3 percent of the ballots cast in the preceding Presidential election. The signatures would have to be validated by the Justice Department before the proposal could be placed on the ballot at the next Federal election.

Based on the 1976 Presidential election, when 81.5 million votes were cast, the 3 percent national requirement would mean that at least 2.45 million valid signatures would be needed.

In remarks entered into The Congressional Record today, Senator Abourezk called the proposed amendment "an actualization of the citizens' First Amendment rights 'to petition the Government for redress of grievances,' "which he said would serve as "a tool to extend the scope of the citizen's right to vote." "In fact, I believe the main result of this initiative amendment, when adopted, will be to provide a way for the people of this nation to circumvent Congress at these times when powerful special interests appear to be blocking important legislation." he told reporters.

He said that 23 states now had laws granting their citizens the right to initiate laws. To become part of the Constitution, the Abourezk amendment would have to be passed by a two-thirds vote in both houses of Congress and ratified by three quarters of the states.

[From the Ft. Wayne Journal Gazette, July 12, 1977]

PEOPLE'S LAWS BEING PROPOSED

WASHINGTON (UPI).-Sen. James Abourezk, D-S.D., Monday proposed a constitutional amendment to let the people make laws through the initiative process-gathering enough petition signatures to force a question onto the ballot.

Cuder terms of the amendment, which would need two-thirds approval in each anne and randcation by three-fourths if he faces, a proposal would be put up to nationwide mate by collecting petition signatures in 10 states equal to 3 per cant of the voters in the most recent presidental election

The petitions, signed by registered voters, would be tertided by the attorney general and the initiative would be put on the ballot for the next congressiunai elections provided the petitions are certified four months before the voting Petition gatherers would have 18 months to complete the proesss, and a majority vote would enact the law except that initiative could not make any law Congress or the Constitution has forbidden.

Aboutazk and sponsors of the Initiative America movement said based on last year's vote, it would take about 245 million signatures to get a question on the ballot

"We trust the people," said Roger Telschow, a director of Initiative America "If they are trusted to choose the legislators which in turn make our laws, then the people must be trusted to propose and enact their own laws by popular vote."

[From the Rochester, New York, Times-Union, July 12, 1977]

AMENDMENT WOULD GRANT POWER TO ENACT LAWS

WASHINGTON (AP)-A nationwide drive is being undertaken to pass a constitutional amendment permitting people to initiate and enact federal legislation. Under the proposed amendment, being introduced in the Senate by Sen. James Abourezk, D-8.D., a measure could be placed on the ballot for acceptance or rejection by the people after supporters had collected the signatures of registered voters equal to 2.3 per cent of the ballots cast in the most recent presidential election.

On the basis of the 1976 election, about 2.45 million signatures would have to be obtained. The 3 per cent requirement would have to be met in at least 10 states.

Abourezk sald 23 states already have this initiative process and its extension to the national level is long overdue.

Roger Telschow, co-director of Initiative America, said the organization has affiliates in 15 states that were announcing campaigns to back the proposed amendment.

[From the Oklahoma Journal, July 14, 1977]

PETITION PROPOSAL PROMOTED

(By Terry Maxon)

The Constitution says citizens have a right to petition for a redress of their grievances, but it doesn't say that the powers-that-be have to listen.

For that reason, citizens in Oklahoma and nationwide are pushing for a constitutional amendment to let voters petition to propose laws to be placed on national election ballots every two years, an Oklahoma City woman said Wednesday.

Roberta Ann Funnell, 3115 Harvey Parkway, said U.S. Sen. James Abourezk. D-S.D., introduced a constitutional amendment in Congress Monday to permit national initiative petitions.

Twenty-three states including Oklahoma already permit citizens to put questions on state ballots via an initiative petition, she said.

However, in the federal government Congress must pass laws or else the laws aren't passed. And in some cases Congress clearly isn't doing what the majority of the citizens want, she said.

Tax reform bills and other measures "weren't being written in a manner in which the average citizen was being helped," she said. "Tax reform is just one example where I feel special interests have predominated.

"A national initiative petition will provide a more meaningful, direct way for citizens to have a voice in federal affairs," Funnell said. “For the first time people would have a recourse when Congress repeatedly fails to address important issues they could take their issue to the voters."

She is the state representative of Initiative America, a group recently formed to promote the national initiative concept. The group, with head offices at 1316 Independence Ave. SE, Washington, D.C. offers memberships for $25.

She urged citizens to write Oklahoma Sens. Henry Bellmon and Dewey Bartlett and the six U.S. representatives in support of the amendment. She said persons wanting further information may call her at 525-9004.

[From the Daily Oklahoman, July 15, 1977]

LEGISLATION GETS GROUP'S SUPPORT

An Oklahoma group announced support recently for a constitutional amendment introduced into Congress to provide for an initiative process at the national level.

Roberta Ann Funnell, state representative of Initiative America, said the group is working for the passage of a national initiative petition amendment introduced by Sen. James Abourezk.

"We hope to raise money to send someone from our state to speak at the hearings," Funnell said.

Persons needing further information should contact the Initiative America office at 3114 Harvey Parkway, Oklahoma City.

{From FKI/KOST Los Angeles, Calif., Editorial Broadcast "Federal Initiatives," July 15, 1977]

The initiative process has been alive and well here in California for years. Now-an effort is underway to create a system where the people can enact and repeal laws-via the ballot initiative on the federal level.

South Dakota Senator James Abourezk is the prime mover of the proposed amendment to the constitution . . . which would require petitioners to gather signatures from 3 percent of the number of those voting in the last presidential election, in order to get proposals on the ballot.

Yes, the proposal would create new mountains of federal paperwork, and new levels of controlling bureaucracy. It would be expensive to mount national initiative drives. But it would also give Americans much more of a say in national affairs . . . and with the increasing distance of federal machinery from the individual-that may not be a bad idea at all.

[From the Rochester, New York, Democrat & Chronicle, July 19, 1977]

THEY'RE TAKING THE INITIATIVE

(By Douglas C. Lyons)

Brian and Jackie Green, and Rogert Telschow would like to see voters take the "initiative" when dealing with their state legislatures instead of writing irate letters, or worse, just giving up.

The "initiative" they allude to is a political process that gives voters the power to decide on proposed laws by referendum under the constitutional provision ensuring the right of petition.

"It serves as a system of checks and balances." Brian Green said. "What it boils down to is that when the legislature doesn't act, the initiative provides another outlet."

Telschow and the Greens are members of an organization called Initiative America. The Greens are organizing a state chapter in Albany. Telschow is the national director. The national organization was founded last February.

According to Telschow, the organization's primary goal is to establish a constitutional amendment enabling voters to place federal law proposals on ballots of Congressional races.

The organization has gained the support of U.S. Senators James Abourezk, South Dakota Democrat, and Mark Hatfield, Oregon Republican, who last week introduced a joint resolution proposing that the Constitution be amended to include the "initiative."

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Under terms of the amendment, which would need two-thirds approval in each house and ratification by three-fourths of the states, a proposal could be put up to nationwide vote by collecting petition signatures in 10 states equal to 3 per cent of the voters in the most recent presidential election.

The petitions, signed by registered voters, would be certified by the attorney general and the initiative would be put on the ballot for the next congressional elections, provided the petitions are certified four months before the voting. Petition gatherers would have 18 months to complete the process, and a majority vote would enact the law except that initiative could not make any law Congress or the Constitution has forbidden.

Abourezk and sponsors of the Initiative America movement said based on last year's vote, it would take about 2.45 million signatures to get a question on the ballot.

"We trust the people," said Roger Telschow, a director of Initiative America. "If they are trusted to choose the legislators which in turn make our laws, then the people must be trusted to propose and enact their own laws by popular vote."

[From the Rochester, New York, Times-Union, July 12, 1977]

AMENDMENT Would Grant POWER TO ENACT LAWS

WASHINGTON (AP).—A nationwide drive is being undertaken to pass a constitutional amendment permitting people to initiate and enact federal legislation. Under the proposed amendment, being introduced in the Senate by Sen. James Abourezk, D-S.D., a measure could be placed on the ballot for acceptance or rejection by the people after supporters had collected the signatures of registered voters equal to 2.3 per cent of the ballots cast in the most recent presidential election.

On the basis of the 1976 election, about 2.45 million signatures would have to be obtained. The 3 per cent requirement would have to be met in at least 10 states.

Abourezk said 23 states already have this initiative process and its extension to the national level is long overdue.

Roger Telschow, co-director of Initiative America, said the organization has affiliates in 15 states that were announcing campaigns to back the proposed amendment.

[From the Oklahoma Journal, July 14, 1977]

PETITION PROPOSAL PROMOTED

(By Terry Maxon)

The Constitution says citizens have a right to petition for a redress of their grievances, but it doesn't say that the powers-that-be have to listen.

For that reason, citizens in Oklahoma and nationwide are pushing for a constitutional amendment to let voters petition to propose laws to be placed on national election ballots every two years, an Oklahoma City woman said Wednesday.

Roberta Ann Funnell, 3115 Harvey Parkway, said U.S. Sen. James Abourezk. D-S.D., introduced a constitutional amendment in Congress Monday to permit national initiative petitions.

Twenty-three states including Oklahoma already permit citizens to put questions on state ballots via an initiative petition, she said.

However, in the federal government Congress must pass laws or else the laws aren't passed. And in some cases Congress clearly isn't doing what the majority of the citizens want, she said.

Tax reform bills and other measures "weren't being written in a manner in which the average citizen was being helped," she said. "Tax reform is just one example where I feel special interests have predominated.

"A national initiative petition will provide a more meaningful, direct way for citizens to have a voice in federal affairs," Funnell said. "For the first time people would have a recourse when Congress repeatedly fails to address important issues-they could take their issue to the voters."

She is the state representative of Initiative America, a group recently formed to promote the national initiative concept. The group, with head offices at 1316 Independence Ave. SE, Washington, D.C. offers memberships for $25.

She urged citizens to write Oklahoma Sens. Henry Bellmon and Dewey Bartlett and the six U.S. representatives in support of the amendment. She said persons wanting further information may call her at 525-9004.

[From the Daily Oklahoman, July 15, 1977]

LEGISLATION GETS GROUP'S SUPPORT

An Oklahoma group announced support recently for a constitutional amendment introduced into Congress to provide for an initiative process at the national level.

Roberta Ann Funnell, state representative of Initiative America, said the group is working for the passage of a national initiative petition amendment introduced by Sen. James Abourezk.

"We hope to raise money to send someone from our state to speak at the hearings," Funnell said.

Persons needing further information should contact the Initiative America office at 3114 Harvey Parkway, Oklahoma City.

| From FKI/KOST Los Angeles, Calif., Editorial Broadcast "Federal Initiatives," July 15, 1977]

The initiative process has been alive and well here in California for years. Now an effort is underway to create a system where the people can enact and repeal laws-via the ballot initiative-on the federal level.

South Dakota Senator James Abourezk is the prime mover of the proposed amendment to the constitution . . . which would require petitioners to gather signatures from 3 percent of the number of those voting in the last presidential election, in order to get proposals on the ballot.

Yes, the proposal would create new mountains of federal paperwork, and new levels of controlling bureaucracy. It would be expensive to mount national initiative drives. But it would also give Americans much more of a say in national affairs . . . and with the increasing distance of federal machinery from the individual-that may not be a bad idea at aH.

[From the Rochester, New York, Democrat & Chronicle, July 19, 1977]

THEY'RE TAKING THE INITIATIVE

(By Douglas C. Lyons)

Brian and Jackie Green, and Rogert Telschow would like to see voters take the "initiative" when dealing with their state legislatures instead of writing irate letters, or worse, just giving up.

The "initiative" they allude to is a political process that gives voters the power to decide on proposed laws by referendum under the constitutional provision ensuring the right of petition.

"It serves as a system of checks and balances." Brian Green said. “What it boils down to is that when the legislature doesn't act, the initiative provides another outlet."

Telschow and the Greens are members of an organization called Initiative America. The Greens are organizing a state chapter in Albany. Telschow is the national director. The national organization was founded last February.

According to Telschow, the organization's primary goal is to establish a constitutional amendment enabling voters to place federal law proposals on ballots of Congressional races.

The organization has gained the support of U.S. Senators James Abourezk, South Dakota Democrat, and Mark Hatfield, Oregon Republican, who last week introduced a joint resolution proposing that the Constitution be amended to inIclude the "initiative."

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