Now That's Direct Democracy

I'm sort of all "mind-numb" on this idea.

A state lawmaker is proposing a constitutional amendment that would give voters the power to override the governor's veto.

Sen. Tom Reynolds, R-West Allis, said Friday he will introduce a measure that would allow voters another chance to directly enact legislation that has been vetoed by the governor.

Reynolds said the proposal is in response to Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle's veto of several Republican-backed bills, including Friday's veto of a bill to require voters to provide photo IDs before they can cast ballots.

"This constitutional amendment gives the people of Wisconsin a direct say in whether a bill becomes law rather than allowing the governor to obstruct important legislation," Reynolds said in a statement.

The amendment would give the Legislature the authority to put a vetoed bill up for a statewide vote to override the governor's veto. The proposed amendment would have to be passed by the Legislature in two successive years before it would go to voters for approval. As a result, the earliest such a measure could take effect would be in 2007.

I'd like to see more details on Reynolds idea before it goes any further than this early planning stage he has now. Truth be told, this could bite both sides. While conservatives are celebrating a 'public override' of a photo ID bill, they'd then have to swallow hard and take it on every minimum wage increase (or God-forbid "Living Wage") that could be passed (and vetoed) by a potential Democratic-controlled state legislature and GOP Governor.

Plus, what are the rules to say which bills get passed on to the statewide referendum process instead of just the regular override process set up in the current state constitution?

Too many question marks if you ask me.