Maine Legislature, Session 124, LD 0922
Committee: State and Local Govemment
Sponsors: RECTOR, COURTNEY, HASTINGS, ROSEN, SMITH, TRAHAN, WESTON

MAINE STATE LEGISLATURE 
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124th MAl E LEGISLATURE 
Legislative Document 
No. 922 
S,P.344 
In Senate, March 10, 2009 
RESOLUTION, Proposing an Amendment to the Constitution of 
Maine To Require a Supermajority Approval of the Legislature for 
Tax Increases 
Reference to the Committee on State and Local Govemment suggested and ordered printed. 
Presented by Senator RECTOR of Knox. 
Cosponsored by Representati ve WEAVER of York and 
9tf)(J~ 
JOY J. O'BRIEN 
Secretary of the Senate 
Senators: COURTNEY of York, HASTINGS of Oxford, ROSEN of Hancock, SMITH of 
Piscataquis, TRAHAN of Lincoln, WESTON of Waldo, Representati ve: FITTS of Pittsfield . 
PriIHI.!J 1111 n:L'~L'bl r"rL'r 
Constitutional amendment. Resolved: Two thirds of each branch of the 
Legislature concurring, that the following amendment to the Constitution of Maine be 
proposed: 
Constitution, Art. IX, §24 is enacted to read: 
Section 24. Tax increases. Any increases in revenue by the enactment of a new 
tax or fee, increase or expansion of an existing tax or fee or repeal or reduction of a 
benefit or eligibility for a tax credit, exemption or refund may not be approved except 
by the 2/3 vote of both Houses of the Legislature. 
; and be it further 
Constitutional referendum procedure; form of question; effective 
date. Resolved: That the municipal officers of this State shall notify the inhabitants 
of their respective cities, towns and plantations to meet, in the manner prescribed by 
law for holding a statewide election, at a statewide election held in the month of 
November following the passage of this resolution, to vote upon the ratification of the 
amendment proposed in this resolution by voting upon the following question: 
"Do you favor amending the Constitution of Maine to require a 2/3 vote of both 
Houses of the Legislature to approve an increase in state revenue?" 
The legal voters of each city, town and plantation shall vote by ballot on this 
question and designate their choice by a cross or check mark placed within the 
corresponding square below the word "Yes" or "No." The ballots must be received, 
sorted, counted and declared in open ward, town and plantation meetings and returns 
made to the Secretary of State in the same manner as votes for members of the 
Legislature. The Governor shall review the returns. If it appears that a majority of 
the legal votes are cast in favor of the amendment, the Governor shall proclaim that 
fact without delay and the amendment becomes part of the Constitution of Maine on 
the date of the proclamation; and be it further 
Secretary of State shall prepare ballots. Resolved: That the Secretary of 
State shall prepare and furnish to each city, town and plantation all ballots, returns 
and copies of this resolution necessary to carry out the purposes of this referendum. 
SUMMARY 
This resolution proposes to amend the Constitution of Maine to require a 2/3 vote 
of both Houses of the Legislature to approve an increase in state revenue. 
Page I - 124LR0635(Ol)-1 
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