SJR 24 - This constitutional amendment, if approved by the voters, modifies provisions relating to taxation.STATE SPENDING
This constitutional amendment, if approved by the voters, provides that the General Assembly shall have a spending limit equal to the previous fiscal year's appropriations plus the percentage growth in population, provided that the population grew by more than one percent from the previous calendar year. If the population grew by more than zero but less than one percent, the spending limit shall be equal to the previous fiscal year's appropriations plus one percent of such amount. If the population decreased from the previous calendar year, the spending limit shall be equal to the previous year's appropriations minus the percentage decline in population.
Total state appropriations may exceed the spending limits only under certain conditions, as described in the amendment.
The amendment establishes the "Tax Reform Fund" in the state treasury. For all fiscal years beginning on or after July 1, 2027, if net general revenue collections exceed anticipated expenditures by more than $1 million, such excess revenues shall be deposited into the fund. In any fiscal year in which a deposit is made into the fund and the balance of the fund is equal to or greater than $120 million, the General Assembly shall reduce the top rate of income tax by at least 0.1%, with an additional 0.05% reduction for each $60 million in excess of the $120 million minimum balance. Such reductions shall continue until the income tax is eliminated.
Upon the elimination of the income tax, the General Assembly shall use the Tax Reform Fund to gradually reduce and eliminate the corporate income tax.
Upon elimination of the corporate income tax, the Tax Reform Fund shall be used to supplement budget shortfalls, as described in the amendment. (Sections 20 and 20(a))
SALES TAXES
Current law imposes a statewide sales tax at a statutory rate of 4%, with an additional 0.225% rate that is constitutionally authorized, for a total statewide sales tax rate of 4.225%. This constitutional amendment, if approved by the voters, provides that the General Assembly shall not impose a statutory sales tax rate in excess of 3.775%, for a total statewide rate of 4%.
This amendment also requires the General Assembly to impose a statewide sales tax on lobbying services at a rate of 6%.
Finally, this amendment repeals Article X, Section 26 of the constitution, which prohibits new sales taxes on transactions not taxed as of January 1, 2015. (Section 26)
JOSH NORBERG