Ducey signs bill outlawing per signature payment for citizen initiatives

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Gov. Doug Ducey has signed a controversial measure outlawing per signature payments for citizen initiatives, a move that critics call an assault on the people’s ability to write their own laws.

Republican Rep. Vince Leach of Oro Valley introduced HB2404 after Arizona voters approved a minimum wage increase in November.

Business interests upset at the wage hike’s passage have rallied behind HB2404 and other proposals seeking changes to the initiative process.

Ducey called the bill a “common sense reform” that “strikes the right balance” in making sure the initiative process still works well.

“We live in a state where citizens have significant input into the policy-making process. That’s a good thing, and this tweak to the law helps ensure the integrity of ballot measures moving forward,” Ducey said in a news release.

Once the legislation takes effect, signature gatherers will likely be paid by the hour.

Read more at AZ Capitol Times

Corrie O'Connor