Maine Legislature, Session 125, LD 0603
Committee: Taxation
Sponsors: COURTNEY, CURTIS, LANGLEY, PLOWMAN, RAYE, SAVIELLO, THOMAS, BENNETT, BICKFORD, CEBRA, COTTA, CUSHING, HARMON, KNIGHT, LIBBY, RICHARDSON, WATERHOUSE, WEAVER, WILLETTE

Legislative Document 
No. 603 
S.P. 183 
In Senate, February 17, 2011 
RESOLUTION,  Proposing an Amendment to the Constitution of 
Maine To Require Approval by a 2/3 Vote of Each Branch of the 
Legislature in Order To Raise a Tax 
Reference to the Committee on Taxation suggested and ordered printed. 
JOSEPH G. CARLETON, JR. 
Secretary of the Senate 
Presented by Senator COURTNEY of York. 
Cosponsored by Representative CURTIS of Madison and 
Senators: LANGLEY of Hancock, PLOWMAN of Penobscot, President RAYE of 
Washington, SAVIELLO of Franklin, THOMAS of Somerset, Representatives: BENNETT of 
Kennebunk, BICKFORD of Auburn, CEBRA of Naples, COTTA of China, CUSHING of 
Hampden, HARMON of Palermo, KNIGHT of Livermore Falls, LIBBY of Waterboro, 
RICHARDSON of Warren, WATERHOUSE of Bridgton, WEAVER of York, WILLETTE of 
Mapleton. 
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. IV, Pt. Third, §24 is enacted to read: 
Section 24.  Tax increase.  The Legislature may not enact legislation that raises a 
tax unless approved by a 2/3 vote of all the members elected to each House 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 approval by a 2/3 vote 
of all the members elected to each House of the Legislature in order to raise a tax?" 
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 approval by a 
2/3 vote of all the members elected to each House of the Legislature in order to raise a 
tax.