The June 27 Dispatch article “Bill would seal fate of Internet cafes” contained a passage that absolutely stunned me. The bill “would contain an emergency clause, meaning it would take effect immediately and is not subject to referendum.”
Now, I don't care about Internet cafes one iota. If the law to outlaw Internet cafes was put to a vote, I would vote for it. However, I find it disgusting that our elected representatives actually would legislate what can be put to a referendum.
If Senate Bill 5 had been passed as an emergency, there would not have been a referendum to overturn the law.
It's a sad day when our elected officials are afraid that their laws might not survive a referendum, and therefore limit the voting rights of the people.