It’s a headache we should live with

Some annoyances are worth living with. That’s a point Spokane Valley City Council members would be wise to consider when they decide whether to provide their constituents with the ability to write law.

Initiatives and referendums can, indeed, be an annoyance, and not just because elected officials are effete snobs who don’t want citizens butting into their business. In fact, the decision to draft a petition and collect signatures to force an issue onto the ballot is sometimes an emotional, knee-jerk reaction. The discussion that follows is not always thoughtful and informed, and the results of an ensuing election can produce unintended and harmful consequences.

It can be that way, but it doesn’t have to. Washington state might still not have the public disclosure law that made it a pioneer for open government 30 years ago if engaged citizens hadn’t written and passed Initiative 276.

Spokane Valley, incorporated after an extended grassroots process, has not given its citizens the power to use initiatives and referendums – for good or ill. It’s a shortcoming that city officials may yet rectify.

Spokane Valley is one of about 180 so-called “code” cities in Washington, and roughly 40 of them provide initiative and referendum authority. But Spokane Valley is the eighth-largest city in the state, and all 10 of the older large cities – considered first-class cities under the law – allow initiatives and referendums.

The Spokane Valley City Council is studying whether to change that, and the debate that has begun is familiar.

Elected officials are chosen by the people to make decisions and can be voted out of office if they don’t perform satisfactorily, say opponents of the process. It’s inefficient to hold an election on every public-policy decision.

Elected officials are too smug, counter the advocates. They need to be reminded who’s boss. The initiative and referendum let voters take direct action.

There’s merit in both arguments, but the tradition of Western states, forged in a populist period of U.S. history, favors hands-on involvement. It’s part of our culture. It not only gives officials an incentive to keep the public’s interest in mind, but it imposes a duty on citizens to be engaged and informed and to assume responsibility for outcomes. It holds everyone accountable.

Whether the initiative process is abused or provides a helpful detour around public officials who put their own interests ahead of the public’s is something that’s up to the people – as it should be.