Hi, this is Senator Melissa Agard with this week’s Democratic Radio Address.
On the ceiling of the governor’s conference room in the east wing of the State Capitol is the phrase, “The will of the people is the law of the land.”
Abraham Lincoln echoed a similar sentiment, when he wrote “democracy is a rule of the people, for the people and by the people.”
That’s the way our democracy is supposed to work. But here in Wisconsin there’s no way for the public to put something on the ballot without going through the Legislature.
In other states, voters have the ability to adopt or repeal state laws through referendum.
Gov. Tony Evers wants voters to have a similar voice here. He wants the Legislature to start the process of changing our constitution so that the will of the people can become the law of the land.
This would allow people to have a direct say on issues that are overwhelmingly popular but the Republican-controlled Legislature refuses to take up. Policies like reproductive freedom and marijuana legalization.
Republicans may give lip service to the ideals of our democracy, but when it comes down to it, they don’t really support your right to live your life the way you see fit.