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Stop Overspending Measure Could be a Huge Mess

The Saginaw News reports that a measure on November's ballot to create a state constitutional amendment that would tie state spending to inflation rates and population growth, end state-paid pension plans for lawmakers and require local governments to seek voter approval for all new or increased taxes and fees could have profound effects in cities such as Saginaw where leaders have used such measures to raise money beyond the $3.8 million cap on property taxes. Kurt O'Keefe, a Stop Overspending spokesman says "This proposal is about putting the people in charge, rather than the politicians."

Arnold Weinfeld, director of public policy and federal affairs for the Michigan Municipal League forsees a host of problems and says "This would increase the cost of elections; you're going to have to use all four election dates, and you're probably going to have quite the bedsheet of a ballot, with people voting on any number of issues that may not even affect them."

Read Municipalities foresee mess if state amendment passes in the Saginaw News
Michigan Stop Overspending Committee web site
Michigan Municipal League web site

Posted/updated Jul 12, 2006
by Andrew McFarlane (Absolute Michigan)