White Guy Fieri

Another poorly-drafted, outsider-funded ballot initiative that will likely put DC taxpayers on the hook for substantial legal costs (not to mention forcing the council to dedicate time and resources to clean-up). substack.com/home/post/p-222…

DC voters are deciding on a ballot initiative next week that would ban the production and sale of foie gras in the city. Whatever your views on the substance, there’s no denying that the underlying campaign, like those behind other recent ballot initiatives, is dominated by outside interest groups. These groups see DC's media market, progressive voter base and small size as the perfect combination for publicity and fundraising. Meanwhile, actual residents are left grappling with the fallout from often-poorly drafted legislation. In today's Capital Commonsense, I explore the data and history of DC's ballot initiative process, review how other recent ballot initiatives have fared (most have needed serious clean-up after the fact), and propose some reforms that could improve the process and ensure the system serves DC residents ahead of outside interest groups. open.substack.com/pub/capita…