In Michigan, lawmakers can pass legislation that they know the citizens might not like, but to prevent those citizens from launching a petition drive to undo the legislation, they can put a budget appropriation in that legislation which automatically blocks the petition drive. Governor Rick Snyder says the practice is not really blocking the will of the people.

“I wouldn't describe it that way. I don't write the bills quite often but the goal here is to say how do you implement legislation your putting in place.”

Recent examples of the practice include the law repealing the requirement that most retail items carry their own price tag, and a new tax on pensions that are both immune to a referendum.