Ballot measures are a viable option for states and metropolitan areas looking to invest in innovation capacity, education and workforce development, and infrastructure, according to a paper from the Brookings Institution's Metropolitan Policy Program. The paper asserts that when budget constraints and politics lead legislators to shy away from expenditures of any kind, legislative referendums and citizen-initiated measures can give voters a way to make decisions about investments needed in their areas. The paper provides examples of past ballot-driven investments that could serve as models and offer lessons learned for future efforts.
