Whitmer: Initiative petition process 'anti-democratic' and needs to change

(Detroit Free Press) Gov. Gretchen Whitmer believes the current system that allows people to collect signatures and change the law in a manner that could circumvent both voters and the governor's veto must be adjusted.

"I think we should fix it, frankly. You know, the process is inherently anti-democratic, and it's been used to take away women's reproductive rights. It's been used to take away powers that I would hope future governors have in the event that they have to confront a global pandemic," Whitmer said, referencing a recent initiative to curb a governor's emergency powers and a 2013 initiative requiring the purchase of insurance riders for abortion coverage.

Both became law by collecting signatures and getting legislative approval but bypassed a vote of the people or the governor's signature, as is allowed by the state constitution.

"That being said, the law is the law right now. ... But is it a good system of government? No," Whitmer told the Free Press at the Mackinac Policy Conference. .............(more)

https://www.freep.com/story/news/politics/2022/06/07/whitmer-initiative-petition-process-anti-democratic-and-must-change/7536391001/