CONCURRENT RESOLUTION OF THE SENATE AND
ASSEMBLY proposing an amendment to section
20 of article 3 of the constitution, in relation to
requiring two-thirds assent of each house of the
legislature for the increase of revenues
As part of the Governor's agenda for budget reform, this concurrent resolution amends the State Constitution to require a two-thirds majority of both the Senate and Assembly to approve any tax increase of $50 million or more.
This bill requires that a two-thirds majority of both houses approve any bill that is estimated to produce an annual increase of $50 million or more in revenues from a single tax or revenue source.
This bill is similar to Constitutional amendments proposed by the Governor in 1996, 1997 and 1998.
The requirement that a two-thirds majority in both houses approve any tax increase over $50 million will encourage the Legislature to exercise fiscal discipline in making budget choices.
This amendment has no direct impact on State finances, but does promote fiscal discipline by requiring any tax increase of $50 million or more to have broad legislative support before it can be enacted.