AP Enterprise: States allow pols to change votes
Mar 13, 2012, 8:47 PM
Associated Press
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) – Lawmakers in California’s Assembly will hit the campaign trail this year, touting their yes or no votes on all manner of bills. Can we believe them? What they say may not be a true reflection of the stand they took when the bill was being debated.
California is one of at least 10 states in which some lawmakers can change their votes after a bill has passed or failed.
While the original fate of the bill stays the same, the practice gives lawmakers a chance to change their minds, grab some political cover or varnish their official record when they were afraid or unwilling to take a stand on bills before a vote.
At least one open government group is denouncing the practice, saying it lets lawmakers off the hook.
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