tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498525082522582900.post4715597246772327831..comments2024-03-22T16:02:08.213-05:00Comments on The Wheel: Mayoral Referendum: Now What?Mark Stegerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02376182294736839659noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498525082522582900.post-72735779467571120382012-07-10T20:26:45.160-05:002012-07-10T20:26:45.160-05:00Choose not to post my reply, did you?Choose not to post my reply, did you?Nathan Morganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11125033575992516328noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498525082522582900.post-86705265648482321932012-07-10T07:50:04.952-05:002012-07-10T07:50:04.952-05:00Mark,
Everybody has an opinion, but straw men fall...Mark,<br />Everybody has an opinion, but straw men fallaciously interpreting the spirit of the law does not make the written word disappear. The words in the Constitution are pretty clear to the average citizen. It is also clear to the average citizen that the Richardson City Charter stands contrary. Except for those who for some twisted reason think the matter is arguable, the people decided this provision in the Texas Constitution a long time ago. It's time for the City of Richardson to get with the program.Nathan Morganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11125033575992516328noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498525082522582900.post-79680890338728572052012-07-09T21:21:50.750-05:002012-07-09T21:21:50.750-05:00Nathan, no one that I've heard has ever argued...Nathan, no one that I've heard has ever argued that Richardson's City Charter trumps the Texas Constitution. That's a straw man fallacy. I have heard competing theories on what the constitution requires in the way of elections. That question was dealt with in "<a href="http://www.marksteger.com/2012/06/of-mayors-and-constitutions.html" rel="nofollow">Of Mayors and Constitutions</a>." Even though the different opinions persist, repeating the arguments here serves no purpose.Mark Stegerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02376182294736839659noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498525082522582900.post-12837951178557711222012-07-09T20:57:26.057-05:002012-07-09T20:57:26.057-05:00Mark,
The only force at play here is force majeure...Mark,<br />The only force at play here is force majeure, an uncontrollable force of nature.<br /><br />In 1913, when the Texas Legislature enabled the Home Rule Charter statutes, they purposefully placed a critical and overriding control in the language. That is, provisions in any Charter may not be contrary to those found in the Texas Constitution or Statutes. The specific language of this is virtually verbatim in the current legislation.<br /><br />It seems the painful process of amending the Texas Constitution is easier to accomplish than that of updating the Richardson City Charter. Apparently the Constitution was amended but the City of Richardson has, thus far, refused to comply with the original 1913 constraints.<br /><br />Political subdivisions were provided with the ability to establish their own charter and ordinances through legislative action at the State level. This did not grant the privilege of thumbing their nose at the State when the law prohibited them from doing otherwise.Nathan Morganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11125033575992516328noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498525082522582900.post-57027754510876479272012-07-09T20:44:41.119-05:002012-07-09T20:44:41.119-05:00Mark,
I like your characterization of this noble ...Mark,<br /><br />I like your characterization of this noble PAC as "bankrolling" the petition to "force" a vote on the issue. Somehow it speaks to the hypocrisy of those who bankrolled countless initiatives over the years. Shall I name a few?<br /><br />Not only were their special interests bankrolled with the private money of the original PAC (a.k.a., "Richardson Coalition", a.k.a., "Richardson Citizens for Responsive Government", formerly known as "Friends of Richardson"), but they also managed to find ways to get public money to bankroll some of their initiatives.<br /><br />Politics is lubricated with money. Always has been. To lament about it is silly.<br /><br />Nobody is "forcing" anything here. A large group of concerned citizens are exercising their right to vote. And, in this case, merely the right to have the question put before the people of the community. <br /><br />And are you saying that citizens having the opportunity to decide whether or not to vote for the deal is a bad idea? Is there a name for that kind of government?<br /><br />Back in 1913, when the State of Texas Home Rule Charter legislation was first enacted, a key provision was purposefully placed in the text, one that has withstood the test of time. It is virtually the same language as you will find in the current legislation. What is it?<br /><br />Home Rule Charter provisions may not be contrary to either the Texas Constitution or Statutes.<br /><br />I'm not quite sure when the Constitution first included the provision for every qualified voter to be able to cast a ballot for the popular election of the municipality's Mayor, but it is in there now. And, in my not-so humble opinion, the City of Richardson has failed to comply in (at least) this manner, as in other circumstances, for far too long.Nathan Morganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11125033575992516328noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498525082522582900.post-5551335503177229872012-07-09T07:30:13.657-05:002012-07-09T07:30:13.657-05:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.dc-tmhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14175240802333780232noreply@blogger.com