A coalition of
same-sex marriage opponents and taxpayer groups is trying
to persuade voters to approve a state constitutional
convention in the hopes of bringing the initiative
petition process to Connecticut.
Connecticut
voters will be asked November 4 the question of whether to
hold a constitutional convention. Under the state
constitution, such a question goes on the ballot
only every 20 years.
The Family
Institute of Connecticut wants a system of direct initiative
-- in which people can petition to get issues onto the
ballot -- because it hopes voters will eventually pass
a state constitutional amendment banning same-sex
marriage. Other groups involved in the campaign have
other concerns, such as eminent domain and taxes.
So far, though,
the Connecticut Constitution Convention Campaign has
raised only $1,110.
Meanwhile, the
state's largest teachers union, the Connecticut Education
Association, has contributed $40,000 to the group "Vote No:
Protect Our Constitution." Planned Parenthood of
Connecticut has given $5,000 to the same cause,
according to filings with the State Elections
Enforcement Commission.
Matthew Daly of
Glastonbury, who is heading the convention campaign, said
he's not worried yet about being grossly outspent.
"Our fund-raising
has been slow, which kind of goes hand in hand for
this time of year," he said. "I'm not surprised. If we're
where we are by the end of September, then I will be
concerned."
If a majority
vote yes in November, a convention will be held consisting
of people appointed by the general assembly,which is
Connecticut's legislature. There, advocates can
recommend that the state change its constitution to
allow citizens to petition issues onto the ballot, such
as a tougher "three strikes and you're out" law for
repeat violent-felony offenders.
Twenty-four
states have the initiative petition processes allowing
citizens to place proposed new laws or constitutional
amendments on the ballot, according to the Initiative
and Referendum Institute at the University of Southern
California.
Daly's coalition
hopes to raise enough money to buy newspaper, radio, and
television ads, explaining the importance of including
direct initiative in the state constitution. He
believes people will support a fight against gay
marriage.
"I think we have
a winning issue," he said. "The question is reaching
as many people as we can."
Anne Stanback,
executive directors of the state branch of the group
Love Makes a Family, said her group -- which supports
same-sex marriage -- is urging people to vote no, and
plans to contribute money to the effort.
She fears voters
will be misled into thinking a constitutional amendment
will lead to real change.
"It's the
legislators who will be deciding who the delegates
are," Stanback said. "They will be the ones who decide what
questions get raised in the convention and if anything
happens at all."
Kathy Frega, a
spokeswoman for the Connecticut Education Association,
said the legislature should be focusing on educational
improvement instead of a convention.
"The state
constitution works, and there's already a procedure in
place to amend it without holding a taxpayer-funded
convention," she said.
Groups that
already have influence at the state capitol, such as the
education association, are among those most worried about a
constitutional convention, Daly said.
"There's no
question this is an insider-versus-outsider campaign,"
he said. "I'm not surprised by those who are opposing
us. They want to control our legislature." (AP)
