Over the last several days people have been talking back and forth about my
votes on minimum wage and same sex marriage. While I believe I was elected
to use my own judgment, I would like the record to reflect my thoughts.
The media has taken what I have said out of context, I apologize if anyone
believes that I set out to intentionally hurt anyone. I stand on my record,
which will clearly show that I have spent my entire career putting people
first.
Regardless of how I personally feel about either issue, as the Chairwoman of
Voters and Elections I believe that minimum wage and same sex marriage do
not belong on the ballot. By this I mean that both issues were brought
before my committee as constitutional amendments, which means that both
issues would have to be put on the ballot in the next election cycle.
As everyone knows the Legislative process requires the approval of both
houses and the executive branch. This process serves a purpose and provides
the best opportunity for citizen involvement and fair representation. While
it might be an idealistic view, I believe that the Legislative process
should be respected except in a case of dire emergency.
Again I believe that the issues of minimum wage and same sex marriage are
issues that should be debated, compromised, and scrutinized by the
legislature, not manipulated for political gain. I do not believe that
either issue met the requirements to disregard the principles of the
legislative process.
While I believe constitutional amendments serve a purpose, we must realize
that the constitutional amendment process is much more stringent than that
required of ordinary legislation.
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