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The lottery vote
It appears likely that Virginians will get the chance to decide this November whether or not they want a state-run lottery. With both houses of the state legislature approving bills establishing a lottery and putting the issue to referendum, all that remains to be worked out is the specific language of the different bills.
We think an issue with such moral considerations as the lottery question is best decided directly by the people. The lottery is a uniquely controversial issue, with supporters saying it will net the state an estimated $400 million annually and opponents warning it will drain poor people’s money and invite organized crime into the state.
Regardless of the pros and cons of the matter, the basic issue is whether the state should be operating what is in effect a statewide game of chance. The real issue is a moral question—one that all the study and debate in Richmond can’t resolve adequately. This is one for the people to decide.
But senators and delegates beware: Referendums must not serve as a way to avoid making the tough decisions voters expect of their elected leaders. After all, in a representative form of government, legislators are elected to represent their constituents, and that means making decisions on their behalf.
We have every right to expect our state representatives to study carefully the complex issues confronting us and to examine proposed legislation thoroughly. The legislative process is a complicated one, and even the most informed citizen can’t be expected to know the specific details of the . amnimria of proposed legislation or to devote his or her l undivided attention to the political maneuverings in , , Richmond.
That’s what our representatives are there for—to study the issues, speak their mind and vote their conscience. If legislators begin relying on referendums to avoid accountability to the voters, they will be guilty of dereliction of their duty to represent their constituents.
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