Requires that any bill which provides revenue to the state in a non-recurring manner shall pass by a two-thirds majority in order to become law

BILL NUMBER:A11000

Title of bill

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION OF THE SENATE AND ASSEMBLY propos- ing an amendment to section 14 of article 3 of the constitution, in relation to the procedure for voting non-recurring revenue items taxes

Purpose

Requires that any bill which provides revenue to the state in a non-recurring manner shall pass by a two-thirds majority in order to become law.

Summary of provisions

Section 1 amends section 14 of article 3 of the Constitution to provide that any bill which generates revenue to the state in a non-recurring manner must pass by the assent of two-thirds of the members elected to each branch of the legislature voting separately.

Section 2 outlines the procedure for amending the Constitution.

Justification

The use of "one-shot" revenues as a means of balancing the state budget must be stopped. The use of non-recurring revenue streams to balance the budget has contributed greatly to our over $ 9 billion deficit. Raiding $391 million in Federal funding designated for 2010 to balance the 2009 budget , delaying state income tax returns and gambling on a tax amnesty program all turned out poorly for the taxpay- ers of this state. This legislation will curtail the use of these budg- etary gimmicks and will compel the governor and legislative leaders to craft a fiscally responsible budget.

Legislative history

New Bill

Fiscal implications

None

Effective date

The foregoing amendment will be referred to the first regular legislative session convening after the next succeeding general election of members of the assembly, and, in conformity with section 1 of article 19 of the constitution, be published for 3 months previous to the time of such election.