Text to be removed highlighted in red.
I. That the second part of the constitution be amended by inserting after article 5-b the following new articles:
Art. 5-c. Increase in Rate of Taxation. A 2/3 vote of the members present and voting in the house of representatives and the senate shall be required to pass a new tax or license fee or to increase a tax or license fee that has been levied by the state, or to authorize the issuance of state bonds.
Art. 5-d. Appropriation for Payment of Interest and Installments of Principal on Bonded Debt. The general court shall provide by appropriation for the payment of interest upon and installments of principal of all bonded debt created on behalf of the State as the same shall become due and payable. If at anytime the general court shall fail to make any such appropriation, the treasurer of the State shall set apart from the first general fund revenues thereafter received a sum sufficient to pay such interest or installments of principal and shall so apply the money thus set apart.
II. That the above amendment proposed to the constitution be submitted to the qualified voters of the state at the state general election to be held in November, 2024.
III. That the selectmen of all towns, cities, wards and places in the state are directed to insert in their warrants for the said 2024 election an article to the following effect: To decide whether the amendments of the constitution proposed by the 2024 session of the general court shall be approved.
IV. That the wording of the question put to the qualified voters shall be:
"Are you in favor of amending the second part of the constitution by inserting after article 5-b new articles to read as follows:
Art. 5-c. Increase in Rate of Taxation. A 2/3 vote of the members present and voting in the house of representatives and the senate shall be required to pass a new tax or license fee or to increase a tax or license fee that has been levied by the state, or to authorize the issuance of state bonds.
Art. 5-d. Appropriation for Payment of Interest and Installments of Principal on Bonded Debt. The general court shall provide by appropriation for the payment of interest upon and installments of principal of all bonded debt created on behalf of the State as the same shall become due and payable. If at anytime the general court shall fail to make any such appropriation, the treasurer of the State shall set apart from the first general fund revenues thereafter received a sum sufficient to pay such interest or installments of principal and shall so apply the money thus set apart."
V. That the secretary of state shall print the question to be submitted on a separate ballot with other constitutional questions or on the official ballot. The ballot containing the question shall include 2 ovals next to the question allowing the voter to vote "Yes" or "No." If no oval is marked, the ballot shall not be counted on the question. The outside of the ballot shall be the same as the regular official ballot except that the words "Questions Relating to Constitutional Amendments proposed by the 2024 General Court" shall be printed in bold type at the top of the ballot.
VI. That if the proposed amendment is approved by 2/3 of those voting on the amendment, it becomes effective when the governor proclaims its adoption.
VII. Voters' Guide.
AT THE PRESENT TIME, a majority vote of the house of representatives and the senate is required to pass legislation imposing new or increased taxes or license fees, or to authorize the issuance of state bonds, and the general court is not required to appropriate funds for payment of interest and installments from the general fund as they become due and payable.
IF THE AMENDMENT IS ADOPTED, a 2/3 vote of the house of representatives and the senate will be required to pass legislation imposing new or increased taxes or license fees, or to authorize the issuance of state bonds, and the general court will be required to appropriate funds for payment of interest and installments from the general fund as they become due and payable.
Text to be added highlighted in green.
I. That the second part of the constitution be amended by inserting after article 5-b the following new articles:
5-c. A 2/3 vote of the members present and voting in the house of representatives and the senate shall be required to pass a new tax or license fee or to increase a tax or license fee that has been levied by the state, or to authorize the issuance of state bonds.
5-d. The general court shall provide by appropriation for the payment of interest upon and installments of principal of all bonded debt created on behalf of the State as the same shall become due and payable. If at anytime the general court shall fail to make any such appropriation, the treasurer of the State shall set apart from the first general fund revenues thereafter received a sum sufficient to pay such interest or installments of principal and shall so apply the money thus set apart.
II. That the above amendment proposed to the constitution be submitted to the qualified voters of the state at the state general election to be held in November, 2024.
III. That the selectmen of all towns, cities, wards and places in the state are directed to insert in their warrants for the said 2024 election an article to the following effect: To decide whether the amendments of the constitution proposed by the 2024 session of the general court shall be approved.
IV. That the wording of the question put to the qualified voters shall be:
"Are you in favor of amending the second part of the constitution by inserting after article 5-b new articles to read as follows:
5-c. A 2/3 vote of the members present and voting in the house of representatives and the senate shall be required to pass a new tax or license fee or to increase a tax or license fee that has been levied by the state, or to authorize the issuance of state bonds.
5-d. The general court shall provide by appropriation for the payment of interest upon and installments of principal of all bonded debt created on behalf of the State as the same shall become due and payable. If at anytime the general court shall fail to make any such appropriation, the treasurer of the State shall set apart from the first general fund revenues thereafter received a sum sufficient to pay such interest or installments of principal and shall so apply the money thus set apart."
V. That the secretary of state shall print the question to be submitted on a separate ballot with other constitutional questions or on the official ballot. The ballot containing the question shall include 2 ovals next to the question allowing the voter to vote "Yes" or "No." If no oval is marked, the ballot shall not be counted on the question. The outside of the ballot shall be the same as the regular official ballot except that the words "Questions Relating to Constitutional Amendments proposed by the 2024 General Court" shall be printed in bold type at the top of the ballot.
VI. That if the proposed amendment is approved by 2/3 of those voting on the amendment, it becomes effective when the governor proclaims its adoption.
VII. Voters' Guide.
AT THE PRESENT TIME, a majority vote of the house of representatives and the senate is required to pass legislation imposing new or increased taxes or license fees, or to authorize the issuance of state bonds, and the general court is not required to appropriate funds for payment of interest and installments from the general fund as they become due and payable.
IF THE AMENDMENT IS ADOPTED, a 2/3 vote of the house of representatives and the senate will be required to pass legislation imposing new or increased taxes or license fees, or to authorize the issuance of state bonds, and the general court will be required to appropriate funds for payment of interest and installments from the general fund as they become due and payable.