Powers Reserved To The People
Why do some legislators feel the need to change the state constitution to protect it, rather than to conserve what is already there? And a solution legislators can embrace.
Article I of North Dakota’s constitution is titled “Declaration of Rights”.
Article I Section 2. All political power is inherent in the people. Government is instituted for the protection, security and benefit of the people, and they have a right to alter or reform the same whenever the public good may require.
Article I Section 5. The citizens have a right, in a peaceable manner, to assemble together for the common good, and to apply to those invested with the powers of government for the redress of grievances, or for other proper purposes, by petition, address or remonstrance.
Article III itself of North Dakota’s constitution is titled “Powers Reserved To The People”, and creates our initiative and referendum system that places the people in the position of being the final check and balance on state government.
This session, like every session since 2013, the legislators have decided to launch a multi-pronged attack on the initiated measure process outlined in the constitution as Powers…
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