Senate approves asking voters whether broad-based taxes should require a supermajority
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Summary
The Senate voted to send CACR 12 to the voters, asking whether broad-based taxes should require a supermajority of the General Court; passage in the Senate was 16–8 after extended floor debate about definitions and democratic consequences.
The Senate approved CACR 12, a concurrent resolution that would place before voters the question of whether the New Hampshire Constitution should be amended to require a supermajority of the General Court to enact any broad-based tax.
Senator Lang, presenting the finance committee report, framed the resolution as a question for voters about whether a supermajority requirement should apply to proposals for broad-based taxes. The chair reminded members that a constitutional amendment requires a roll-call and 3/5 of the voting membership in the chamber.
Floor debate featured sustained exchanges about the meaning of "broad-based tax," whether property taxes or certain fees could be affected, and concerns about ceding majority rule to a supermajority threshold. Senator Waters urged a no vote, warning the proposal is vague, could entrench minority blocking power, and risk unintended consequences for routine legislative revenue choices. Supporters argued the change would allow voters to decide whether larger taxes should require broader consensus.
The Senate recorded a roll-call and the resolution passed the chamber by 16–8, meeting the threshold for a constitutional question to go to voters. The resolution was ordered to third reading.