House Republicans' - Statement on CACR6

House Speaker Majority Leader D.J. Bettencourt (R-Salem)  today released the following statement with regard to the passage of CACR 6, a constitutional amendment that would require that any tax increase or bonding would need to receive a vote of 3/5ths of both the House and Senate.  This legislation will now move to the Senate, where, if it passes there, will appear on the November 2012 ballot.

"Today the NH House made it clear that any future decision on raising taxes and fees should rest with the voters of this state.  This amendment is important to the future financial stability of New Hampshire.  We have seen first hand over the last four years the damage that can been done to state, county and local governments when the legislature is allowed to tax and spend at will.  This will insure that any increase in taxes and additional bonding will no longer be done by a simple majority.  It is important that we give our citizens the opportunity to decide this issue at the polls in November of 2012."



Comments

[Jim Splaine]

I think enough people in this state realize that in a representative form of government, it is important to give those whom we elect the responsibility, and the obligation, to make the important decisions on the functions of government.

In a democracy, our Constitution is intentionally difficult to change, and on November 6, 2012 -- just 588 days (or 84) weeks) from the day I'm writing this -- voters will reject this amendment as unwise, and will reject a large number of those people currently not representing their interests.