"The right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government shall never be abridged" (Article 1, Section 6, Alaska State Constitution).

With the new requirement for citizen groups to pay to travel to statewide hearings regarding initiatives, the Alaska government has taken the final step to finally "abridge" the right of citizens of modest means to effectively petition their government.

Now, only the moneyed few can effectively petition their government. Assuming petitioners could gather enough petition signatures under the current burdensome regulations and time restrictions, now they must also pay to travel to defend their proposed law.

Remember, when legislative hearings are held, the real players travel to Juneau to testify in person while the average citizens are given a speaker phone in their local LIO. Under this law the lieutenant governor only has to provide a telephone link to the hearing "where possible." Otherwise, one side won't be heard.

Accept the fact that without big money you now have no effective voice in government.

-- Lynn Willis

Eagle River