Here in the state of Maine, the belief of government by the people is exemplified by the ability of its citizens to partake in the use of the initiative and referendum process. For those who have forgotten their civics, the process of initiatives and referendums allows citizens of many U.S. states (26 to be exact) to place new legislation on a popular ballot, or to place legislation that has recently been passed by a legislature on a ballot, for a popular vote. Use of this process by the citizens of Maine seemingly validates the belief in “government of the people, by the people, and for the people” as articulated by Abraham Lincoln. Yet is this truly the case?

The citizens of Maine voted many years ago (2004) to have the state government fund education here in Maine at a level of 55 percent. This desire of the people has yet to be met by any governor of the state who have routinely budgeted a level of funding far below that mandated amount which the legislature then passes. Because of the repeated argument that funds were not available, a plan which funded this mandated amount was created and presented to the citizens of Maine and duly passed by the voters. Yet, the governor refused to implement the plan because he claims that “well-meaning citizens voted on these initiatives with little or no understanding of how destructive they would be to Maine’s fragile economy.” (Bangor Daily News-1/15/17)

The issue of ranked-choice voting has met a similar fate in the Maine state legislature. Efforts have been thus far successful in blocking this initiative with attempts to even repeal it completely. The civic-minded band of citizens that first proposed this initiative has since been driven to seek a people’s veto to compel the legislature to comply with the wishes of the people whom they are supposed to represent!

Most recently, it has been reported that the legislature with the governor’s backing are “exploring” rolling back the minimum-wage increase that the people of Maine passed. This attempt to deprive Mainers of a livable wage is unconscionable. Was not the voice of the citizens of Maine articulated clearly enough for those in Augusta to understand that the people of Maine are struggling to make ends meet? How can our elected officials with any demonstration of integrity even consider repealing or delaying the people’s voice even further?

As a civics educator, I teach my students the accepted belief that our elected representatives are representatives of the people; yet, in the realm of initiatives and referendums, the voice of the people is being ignored. Thus, I find myself at a loss when trying to explain to my students why we have an initiative and referendum option if the powers in Augusta need ignore the wants of the citizenry. So, I find myself wondering and asking, does the state have a government of the people, by the people and for the people of Maine?

Normand L’Heureux is longtime teacher at Boothbay Region High School.