HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Resolution 2004-108CITY OF PLYMOUTH
RESOLUTION NO. 2004-108
OPPOSING TAX AND EXPENDITURE LIMITATION PROPOSALS
(TaBOR and Similar Proposals)
WHEREAS, the Taxpayers League and others are endorsing proposals to amend the State
Constitution to institute tax and expenditure limitations at the state, and potentially local, levels
of government that could only be overridden by a vote of the people — an example of these
proposals is the "Taxpayers Bill of Rights";
WHEREAS, such proposals would tie the hands of state and local leaders in times of crisis and
other unpredictable circumstances, putting state and local governments on "auto pilot" and
circumventing thoughtful consideration of policy decisions;
WHEREAS, such proposals would prevent state and local officials from making the tough
decisions they were elected to make, passing the responsibility for learning all aspects of often
complex issues to citizens who have other jobs and responsibilities;
WHEREAS, amending the constitution is a virtually irrevocable action and should only be
undertaken when legislative remedies have proven inadequate;
WHEREAS, such proposals are unnecessary — a "solution in search of a problem" — as
demonstrated by lawmakers at both state and local levels of government taking action to deal
with one of the worst budget crises to hit the State of Minnesota and, by result, Minnesota's
cities;
WHEREAS, this is further demonstrated by the fact that state and local spending as a percentage
of personal income has actually declined in recent years, even before the 2003 deficit;
WHEREAS, regardless of whether TaBOR/TELs are applied just to the State or to local
governments as well, these proposals would bring great harm to local communities through
continued reductions in state fiinding, increases in unfunded State mandates, and, potentially,
direct tax and expenditure limitations at the local level, which would severely erode decision-
making at the local level and the ability to provide the basic services residents and businesses
expect and deserve;
WHEREAS, such proposals would force the State, and potentially cities, to spend valuable time
and money asking for permission from the same people who elected them before any action can
be taken on important issues, and would also force taxpayers to pay twice for governance — once
for elections of their State and local officials, and again for elections to make the decisions those
officials should have made.
Resolution No. 2004-108
Page 2
WHEREAS, such proposals contradict the fundamental principles upon which our constitution
and system of government are based — that representative, not direct, democracy is the most
effective form of government as it is most likely to result in good public policy;
WHEREAS, those states that have instituted proposals similar to the Taxpayers Bill of Rights,
such as Colorado, now face severe problems in meeting the basic needs of their citizenry;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Plymouth City Council that this Council
believes that state and local elected officials are elected to do a job — that job is to represent the
interests of their constituents, to deal with difficult decisions, to thoughtfidly debate and
determine the best course of action for the state or the community they serve.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this Council opposes limits on state and/or local taxes and
expenditures, whether through constitutional amendment or other means, and supports the
principle of representative democracy as the best route to sound public policy.
ADOPTED by the Plymouth City Council on March 9, 2004.