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Summary of Pennsylvania's Taxpayer Fairness
Act
Government spending is increasing at an
unsustainable rate. It’s time to control the spending culture and giveaway
mentality with which our governor has burdened Pennsylvania. Senate Majority
Leader David J. Brightbill (R-Lebanon) will introduce this legislation next
week.
The Taxpayer Fairness Act will:
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Restrict the growth in state spending to the
lesser of (1) the average annual rate of change of personal income in
Pennsylvania for the three preceding years; or (2) the average percentage
change in inflation plus the percentage change in state population for the
three preceding years.
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Set aside 100 percent of any surplus into the
state’s Rainy Day Fund.
The Taxpayer Fairness Act will include some
common-sense exceptions:
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In the event of an emergency or major disaster
declared by the President, the spending limit may be exceeded by a simple
majority vote.
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In the event of other declared emergencies, the
governor may request an increase in the spending limit; this would require a
three-fifths vote.
-
For other circumstances, the spending limit
could be increased by a two-thirds vote.
According to the National Conference of State
Legislatures, as of 2004:
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16 states have spending controls
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4 states have revenue controls
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4 states limit appropriations to the revenue
estimate
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3 states have a combination of the above
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23 states have no controls on spending or
revenue
Pennsylvania is in the minority of states in this
regard.
For more information:
http://www.ncsl.org/programs/fiscal/tels2004.htm
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