Michigan People's Choice Tax Repeal Amendment (2008)
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| This measure was not put on an election ballot |
The People's Choice Tax Repeal Amendment did not appear on the November 4, 2008 statewide ballot in Michigan as an initiated constitutional amendment. The measure would have created an "automatic referendum" whenever the legislature approved a tax increase. An automatic referendum would also be called, if the amendment had been approved by voters, on all tax increases approved since May 1, 2007.
Specifically, the measure would have:
- Scheduled a referendum for Feb. 10, 2009, for voter approval of all state tax increases made since May 1, 2007.
- Required an automatic referendum for voter approval of all future state tax increases at the next even-year general election.
- Standarized initiative and referendum petition forms and limits the kinds of rules that can be put on petition circulating.
Supporters
Greg Schmid, an attorney in the Saginaw area, was the measure's sponsor.
On the sponsor's web site, proponents argued that government needed to learn to live within its means without high taxes, and that the people had the power to make them do so. Families were having to cut back on expenses in order to make ends meet, they argued, and government should have to do the same. The people need to "stop the bleeding and take control," they said.[1]
Schmid also sponsored a second initiative for Michigan's November 2008 ballot. That proposal, known as Part-time Legislature Amendment, proposed making Michigan's legislature part-time, slash legislators' salaries and perks, and fine legislators for absences.
Opponents
No specific opponents were identified.
Status
Supporters were unable to collect sufficient signatures. At least 380,126 valid signatures were needed by July 7, 2008, to be placed on the November 2008 ballot.
See also
External links
Footnotes
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State of Michigan Lansing (capital) |
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