That's what the people get for imposing a tax, I guess.
Senate Joint Resolution 15 has just been introduced by several legislators - I suspect in response to this last years' tobacco tax - to force the citizenry to mave to meet a 2/3rds threshold of support to pass a new tax, just like the legislature is required to.
I'm a little tossed on it, as I darn well vote against every tax that's put to a vote (especially any involving income taxes). But the measure skates precariously close to infringing on the right of the people to make a decision of the whole.
I mean, doesn't the majority rule? Legislators are as fallible as the rest of us, but if 51% of the people themselves say tax us (and god only knows why they would) shouldn't that be sufficient?
I'm going to noodle on this one..
A JOINT RESOLUTION, Proposing and submitting to the electors at the next general election amendments to Article XI of the Constitution of the State of South Dakota, relating to the vote required to impose or increase taxes.You can read it here.
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF SOUTH DAKOTA, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN:
Section 1. That at the next general election held in the state, the following amendment to Article XI, section 14 of the Constitution of the State of South Dakota, as set forth in section 2 of this Joint Resolution, which is hereby agreed to, shall be submitted to the electors of the state for approval.
Section 2. That Article XI, section 14 of the Constitution of the State of South Dakota, be amended to read as follows:
§ 14. The rate of taxation imposed by the State of South Dakota in regard to any tax may not be increased and no new tax may be imposed by the State of South Dakota unless byconsent of the people by exercise of their right ofa two-thirds vote of the voters voting on an initiative or by a two-thirds vote of all the members elect of each branch of the Legislature.
I'm a little tossed on it, as I darn well vote against every tax that's put to a vote (especially any involving income taxes). But the measure skates precariously close to infringing on the right of the people to make a decision of the whole.
I mean, doesn't the majority rule? Legislators are as fallible as the rest of us, but if 51% of the people themselves say tax us (and god only knows why they would) shouldn't that be sufficient?
I'm going to noodle on this one..
Comments
Requireing two thirds means one third plus one vote stops anything.
33.35% can rule 66.65%
34 rule 66 and so forth
very bad bill !!!!