Group Opposes Constitutional Convention (Connecticut Post)
Thursday, September 18, 2008
By: Ken Dixon

HARTFORD -- More than two dozen groups, from organized labor to the American Civil Liberties Union of Connecticut, began a campaign Wednesday to oppose the November ballot question on a possible constitutional convention.

During a news conference on the north steps of the Capitol, Attorney General Richard Blumenthal and Comptroller Nancy Wyman joined the group supporting rejection of the question.

They said that the General Assembly, supported by statewide voters deciding on specific questions, have done an efficient job in changing state law as needed over the years.

The organization, called "Vote No: Protect Our Constitution," said such a convention would be "risky" because it could possibly be commandeered by a variety of special interests, including groups opposed to abortion, gay rights and funding public schools, or in support of initiative and referendum.

But supporters of the ballot question said in reaction to the news conference that the current status quo is being defended by special interests including members of the "Vote No" coalition.

"Connecticut is the Constitution State," Blumenthal said. "We have a special reverence and respect for our constitution. It's not simply a document to be shredded or taken apart or rewritten lightly or carelessly." Blumenthal called for "special caution and care" when dealing with the constitution.

He noted that the General Assembly has revised the constitution 30 times since 1965, including changes to the way judges are chosen; incapacitated governors are replaced; the elimination of the county-sheriff system; and the creation of a biennial rather than annual state budget.

"The message today is not simply 'vote no,' it is do it in the right way," Blumenthal said. "Do it by amendment if the constitution needs to be changed."

Members of the group included unionized teachers, the Connecticut Education Association, Connecticut AFL-CIO, the Connecticut National Organization for Women, gay and lesbian activists and Planned Parenthood of Connecticut.

Peggy Shorey, campaign manager for the group, declined to say whether a statewide media campaign would be launched in the weeks heading into the Nov. 4 election. According to recent state campaign-finance documents, the CEA has given the effort $40,000 and Planned Parenthood has contributed $5,000.

A supporter of the convention question, Rep. T.R. Rowe, R-Trumbull, said Wednesday that Connecticut voters deserve a more direct way to shape government.

"It amazes me that special interest groups and the Hartford establishment are so scared of giving the people -- the voters, the taxpayers -- more of a say in how they're governed," Rowe said. "Because that's all referendum and direct initiative are."

Rowe said he would like to protect homeowners from eminent-domain abuses, push for binding-arbitration reform and ethics reform. Rowe also supports a proposal to limit marriage to heterosexual couples, but he noted that a challenge to the state's civil-union law is pending before the state Supreme Court.

Sen. Dan Debicella, R-Shelton, another supporter of the convention question, said Wednesday that it's time for Connecticut to join the two dozen states that have initiative and referendum.

"A constitutional convention would allow people to propose new legislation or turn over legislation," Debicella said in a phone interview.

"As long as you do it in a smart way, like avoiding raising taxes and spending at the same time." Peter Wolfgang, director of public policy for the anti-abortion Family Institute of Connecticut, said voter initiative is crucial to the democratic process and this year may be the last time people can vote on the issue for the next 20 years.

"People ought to have a direct say over our laws of the state of Connecticut," he said. "All we're asking for here is to let the people be heard."

If approved, it would be the first statewide constitutional convention since 1965, when lawmakers abolished most of Connecticut's county forms of government.