January 25, 2006
State of the State: Tax-relief proposals
Governor Carcieri outlines the state of and his proposals for tax-relief...
Lincoln Park and Newport Grand revenues will pay for complete phase-out of the car tax.
Must reduce the growth rate of government spending. Pension reform will save $250,000,000 over 5 years. "Big audit" fiscal fitness will save $140,000,000.
Proposes the following long-term, structural spending reforms...
1. State personnel system will be reformed, fewer middle-managers.
2. Reform the human service entitlement programs, promoting healthier choices and putting more people to work faster.
3. Constitutional amendment to tie spending increases to rate of inflation.
4. Lower allowed rate of municipal property tax increases.
"3. Constitutional amendment to tie spending increases to rate of inflation."
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Now *that's* using his head! In a state with such a heavily Democrat legislature, a constitutional amendment is the only way to keep the legislature from increasing spending by 10% a year.
Ken Blackwell (hopefully the next governor of Ohio) is supporting a similar constitutional amendment in Ohio.