Legislators target majority rule on tax increases

The 2012 ballot is certainly going to be a long one if all of the proposed constitutional amendment questions are approved by this year’s Legislature.

Today, Republicans in the House filed another one. This one proposes an amendment requiring a three-fifths vote to enact a law imposing or increasing certain taxes.

The bill would require a “super majority” for tax increases, not unlike the 60 votes needed in the U.S. Senate to end a filibuster and get major legislation through.

Why wait until next November?

The legislature of New Hampshire is considering the same legislation. So is Wisconsin.

Sixteen states require a supermajority vote to increase some or all taxes. Seven require a two-thirds vote, six a three-fifths vote and two a three-fourths vote.