Some allege that special interests will control the process. Initially, it would be naive to think that single interest groups will not have influence over a reform process, and it would be improper to exclude them. As every legislator knows, special interests have an enormous amount of control over our current system. The constitutional reform process gives us the opportunity to have a meaningful discussion on the issues that impact the people of our state, and then to give the people an opportunity to respond at the ballot box, not once, but three times. And if the people choose to reject or embrace specific issues, so be it.
Reform is a process that requires deliberation and explanation.
We applaud the efforts of the Governor and Legislature to carefully consider how best to approach constitutional reform, but any path taken to reform must work to insure that all voices are heard and that any reform effort reflect the best wisdom that our State has to offer. We have the opportunity to replace a document that limits what our state can achieve with a new constitution that will help us realize our potential. Today's hearing is an important step in that process.