HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-043 - ADMIN Resolution - City Council - 2004/03/15RESOLUTION NO. 04 - 043
A RESOLUTION TO OPPOSE 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 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
cassis 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 funding, 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.
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;
Resolution No. 04-043 -2-
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 Council of the city of the City of St.
Louis Park that this Council believes that state and local elected officials are elected to do ajob —
that fob is to represent the interests of their constituents, to deal with difficult decisions, to
thoughtfully 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
t
P. • - •. iple of representative democracy as the best route to sound public policy
' Rev -d for Aiministration: Adopted by the City Council March 15, 2004
2(166
Mayor / , /
G /
City n. _e
Attest:
Cit %Clerk