Last election, there were four ballot initiatives regarding a few different issues. Two of these included paid sick leave for workers and the legalization of the production and distribution of marijuana.
For those unfamiliar with the point of a ballot initiative, it is a way for citizens to propose statutes or constitutional amendments. It is a way for the people of a state to weigh in on issues pressing our corner of the world.
When a ballot initiative is voted on, it is the duty of the legislature to carry out the desired outcome. The Nebraska Legislature has not done this.
There have been many challenges in the unicameral on paid sick leave, and even more attempts to block the legalization of marijuana. On April 17, the marijuana initiative failed to move forward, delaying access to the substance. Before that, the petition that put the issue on the ballot was called into question.
The opposition to paid sick leave began in March, with some lawmakers alleging it would hurt the small businesses in Nebraska. While many arguments are being had about this initiative, at the very least, it is still being considered.
The same cannot be said about medical marijuana.
It is truly mind-boggling the way the Nebraska Legislature seems to disregard an easy way to get ourselves out of the hole in terms of the budget. Perhaps it is because keeping marijuana illegal is a way to put more bodies into the prisons so the prison-industrial complex can be sated. Perhaps it is because the legislature truly believes it is an evil substance. It is hard to say.
The argument that the voters were confused about what they were voting on is vile and condescending.
It doesn’t stop at marijuana or paid sick leave. It’s even with the famous blue dot.
The blue dot refers to the way Nebraska dishes out electoral votes. It is separated into three different districts, with District 2 having voted democrat for the past few elections.
It has been the mission of President Donald Trump, Senator Pete Ricketts and Gov. Jim Pillen to make Nebraska a winner-take-all state, which would completely shut out the blue dot.
There are very few Nebraskans who want the blue dot taken away. It makes no economic or democratic sense to become winner-take-all. For now, the blue dot stays, after the bill failed to move forward.
We, the people of Nebraska, are tired. We know what we want. It’s time to make it happen.
