We support reforms that make it harder for out-of-state special interests to take advantage of Maine’s loose referendum process. Special interests with deep pockets use Maine to gain a foothold with poorly written, bad policy proposals that hurt our economy and limit our freedom. Complicated statutory changes are distilled into oversimplified, misleading ballot questions that tug on voter’s emotions. Out-of-state signature gatherers are paid to solicit signatures, heading to heavily populated areas and telling voters half-truths and misleading statements to get them to sign the petition. Referendum questions end up on the ballot without ever having a public hearing in the legislature where subject matter experts can explains the pros and cons and legislators can ask critical questions and request relevant data.