On August 26, Alaskans will be voting on Ballot Measure 4, the so called “clean water initiative.” We have covered this issue extensively in each of our last three editions of the Resource Review and I hope by now you have been convinced of the negative impact passage of this dangerous anti-mining initiative would have on our state. Please vote no on Ballot Measure 4 on August 26.
It’s only the primary, and many of you may feel it’s not worth your time to go to your local polling place or apply for an absentee ballot to vote. Indeed, with all of the talk of the presidential election, many of you may just assume the only election of consequence will be in November, but, it’s not. The primary is on August 26 and there will not be another chance to defeat this deceptive initiative. Please vote no on Ballot Measure 4 on August 26.
If Ballot Measure 4 passes, it will require an override of Alaska’s existing mining laws which are the strongest in the world in protecting the environment. It could prevent future mines, as well as stop expansions of current mines. Ultimately, it could rob Alaskan communities, as well as Alaska Natives of a significant source of jobs and revenue. Please vote no on Ballot Measure 4 on August 26.
As signatures were being collected to get this item on the ballot, many gatherers informed the public its sole purpose was to stop Pebble. However, if Ballot Measure 4 passes, depending on the legal interpretation du jour and the subsequent regulations created, it could shut down all mining in Alaska as we know it. Please vote no on Ballot Measure 4 on August 26.
Three very scary initiatives have made their ways to our ballots in the past two years. One was defeated—the gas reserves tax initiative. One passed—the cruise ship initiative, and it continues to put unattainable and overly onerous requirements on the industry that local municipalities cannot achieve themselves. And of course, the one we are facing this August—the clean water initiative.
These recent experiences make me question the initiative process. Each of the aforementioned initiatives clearly show they do not have the best interest of the state, nor its people, in mind. Tactics are often used in the signature gathering process that mislead the public and misconstrue the issues and impacts at play.
Openness, transparency, and truth must be at the forefront of good government. This standard should also apply when individuals are trying to gather signatures to put items on our ballots. Unfortunately, I have witnessed the contrary on many occasions. To solve this problem, standards must be put in place to ensure a candid process.
After these three recent examples, I firmly believe we must work during the next legislative session to make the initiative process better for all Alaskans. Following, I have put together a list of recommendations for the Legislature to consider:
(1) Signature gatherers should be required to register with the state.
(2) Signature gatherers should be Alaskan residents.
(3) If paid, signature gatherers should be required to file reports with the state
outlining their pay and per diem.
(4) Employers should be required to pay signature gatherers as employees (rather than the current $1/signature), subject to appropriate withholdings, and workers compensation.
(5) Gatherers should only be allowed to collect signatures for one initiative at a time.
(6) Signature gatherers should be required to accurately disclose the intent and provisions of the initiative. Signature gatherers and their employers should be subject to fines if found to be violating this requirement.
This list is by no means complete. I value your recommendations and if you have other ideas, please send me an email to jbrune@akrdc.org. I will share the best of these ideas with our elected officials next January with the hope we can bring openness and transparency to the democratic right of Alaskans to change state law through the initiative process.
And remember, please vote no on Ballot Measure 4 on August 26.
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