COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA AN ACT 2-94 IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, NOVEMBER 1, 1977 TO AMEND, ON AN EMERGENCY BASIS, THE INITIATIVE, REFERENDUM, AND RECALL CHARTER AMENDMENTS ACT OF 1977 Be it enacted by the Council of the District of Columbia, That this act may be cited as the "Emergency Amendments to the Initiative, Referendum, and Recall Charter Amendments Act of 1977". SEC. 2. Section 2 of the "Initiative, referendum, and Recall Charter Amendments Act of 1977", approved June 14, 1977 (Act 2-46), is amended as follows: (a) amend "five (5) percent of the registered electors in five (5) or more of the City's Wards" to read "five (5) percent of the registered electors in each of five (5) or more of the City's wards."; and (b) amend "ten (10) percent of the registered electors in five (5) or more of the City's wards" to read "ten (10) percent of the registered electors in each of five (5) or more of the City's wards.". SEC. 3. This act shall take effect immediately upon its enactment and shall remain in effect for ninety (90) days as provided for emergency acts of the Council of the District of Columbia in section 412 (a) of the "District of Columbia Self-Government and Governmental Reorganization Act" (87 Stat. 788; D.C. Code, sec. 1–146(a)). TUCKER HARDY ROLL CALL VOTE: COUNCIL MENSEN |ATE | NAT | M.V. | A.B.|| council memeca ATE|MAY | M.V. | A.3. Í COUNCIL MEMBER ATE MATI 1.v. | 23.| VOICE VOTE: October 25, 1977 Adopted Unanimously (3 abs.) Wilson, Spaulding, Clarkė Pokist Arwill- & Secretary to the Council ROLL CALL VOTE: MAT | M.V. | MB.il council meMBER | ATE| HAY þM.V. | 1.8.1| COUNCIL MEMBER | ATC | MAT | M.V. | 4.3.| MASON SPAULDING WILSON WINTER : 1 ROLARK SHACKLETON X-lacican Vole λ adi Secretary to the Council EDUNCL MEMBER |ATE | NAT | M.V. | AB.:| COUNCIL MEMBER | ATE| NAT|N.V. | La¦ COUNCIL MEHITA ATI NATIN.V. | A.D.) I MASON MOORE. D. ROLARK SICKLETON! SPAULDING WILSON WINTER Mr. DELLUMS. I would now like to yield to Mr. Singleton, counsel for the minority members, who has a statement of Mr. McKinney, ranking minority member of the committee. STATEMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE STEWART B. MCKINNEY, READ BY HARRY M. SINGLETON, MINORITY DEPUTY COUNSEL Mr. SINGLETON. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Unfortunately, Mr. McKinney is ill and was unable to be here this morning, but he does have a prepared statement, which I would like to read into the record on his behalf. Mr. Chairman, I am pleased to join with my colleagues today in endorsing the decision of the voters of the District of Columbia as regards voter initiative, referendum and recall. I was an original supporter of this legislation when it was first proposed by Mr. Fauntroy during consideration of the Home Rule Act in 1973, and though we were unsuccessful in including this concept in the original bill, the fact that this issue is before us today is a testament to the flexibility of that act. I remember that during the original debate on Mr. Fauntroy's amendment, a number of my former colleagues expressed reservations over including Initiative, Referendum, and Recall in the Home Rule bill because they were afraid that such a provision might lead to a "witch hunt" by citizens on certain public officials or work against positive action on certain controversial issues. Certainly, a review of the legislative history of this bill will establish that the City Council has addressed these concerns, and has included the safeguards necessary to allay these fears. Final approval of this legislation will enable the District to join some 26 other states which have some form of voter initiative and recall legislation on their books. The citizens of these states have consistently acted prudently and wisely in the past, and I know that the citizens of the District will prove just as responsible. In all, while I can easily expound on the merits of Initiative, Referendum and Recall, I can't help but add that I hope we will not see very many special elections in this city, or for that matter, many citizen initiatives or recalls added to the November ballot. My point in saying this is that I feel that the elected officials of the District have proven in the past to be quite responsive to the needs of this city in a fashion which can be envied by many other cities and states. Continued positive activity of this kind will hopefully make the legislation before us today something that will not be abused. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. DELLUMS. I want to thank our distinguished colleague. I note the presence of Mr. Whalen. I certainly would like to yield to the gentleman if you have any opening remarks. Mr. WHALEN. I have none. [Statement of Delegate Fauntroy follows:] STATEMENT OF DELEGATE WALTER E. FAUNTROY VOTER INITIATIVE Mr. FAUNTROY. Mr. Chairman, members of the subcommittee, I am pleased to speak in behalf of House Concurrent Resolutions 435 and 436, which I introduced in December. In introducing and supporting these resolutions, I not only join the host of other prominent Americans from many walks of life who support the concept of "pure" democracy, which these resolutions will produce, but I also reflect a clear mandate from the people of the District of Columbia who I represent. |