How about voter referendums as a way to get states to take the Medicaid money?

[bluestateguy]

Why not, if the governors and legislatures in some states won't take the money, put the issue to each state's voters in an up or down vote to take the Medicaid money or not take it?

Are there any groups in any states mobilizing to make this happen in any state? Any signature drives to get this to the voters? I think voters would pass it in all but the most blood red states.

You can lobby and squawk all you want in states like Louisiana or Texas or Oklahoma, but ain't no way those governors will ever change their mind. Same with the legislatures.

[pscot]

1. Most states don't have voter referendum

[Scuba]

3. Wisconsin doesn't allow them, damnit.

[pscot]

5. Looks like none of the southern states do

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Initiatives_and_referendums_in_the_United_States

They're the ones that most need relief.

[former9thward]

2. Voter ballot initiatives are extremely expensive.

Who would pay for it?

[Scuba]

4. The states are turning down billions in aid and you're worried about the cost of a referendum?

[former9thward]

6. Maybe you should read the OP.

The OP wanted a voter ballot initiative. States don't pay for those. Those who want the initiative do. So I will ask again -- who will pay for it? You???

[Scuba]

7. I read the OP. As for ballot initiatives, including referendums, they are paid for by the State ...

... as far as the voting process goes. See Ohio for an example.

As for paying to get your message out, that's incumbent on those pushing the iniative, but that's a different issue.

http://www.ohiocitizen.org/about/training/ballotconsiderations.html

[former9thward]

8. No voter inspired initiatives are NOT paid for by the state.

You are wrong. If the legislature refers a referendum to the people the state pays for that. If, as the OP suggests, the people want to put an initiative on the ballot the people pushing that have to pay for it. They have to pay to get the signatures and YES they have to pay to get the message out. It is NOT a different issue. Who is going to pay for it?

[Gothmog]

9. Texas does not allow for these actions

[NightWatcher]

10. the states picked the assholes who refused the help