HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution - 2004-66 - Oppose Tax and Expenditure Limitations Proposals (Tabor) MN Legislature - 04/27/2004 CITY OF EDEN PRAIRIE
HENNEPIN COUNTY,MINNESOTA
RESOLUTION NO. 2004-66
A RESOLUTION TO OPPOSE TAX AND EXPENDITURE LIMITATION PROPOSALS
(TELS/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 potentially 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"; and
WHEREAS, such proposals would tie the hands of state and local leaders in times of crisis and
other unpredictable circumstances, circumventing thoughtful consideration of policy decisions;
and
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; and
WHEREAS, amending the constitution is a virtually irrevocable action and should only be
undertaken when legislative remedies have proven inadequate; and
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; and
WHEREAS,regardless of whether TELs/TABOR 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; and
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; and
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.
NOW, THEREFORE,BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City of Eden Prairie that this
Council believes that state and local elected officials are elected to do a job—that job 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.
SE 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 the
principle of representative democracy as the best route to sound public policy.
ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Eden Prairie on this 27th day of April, 2004.
Ron Case,Acting Mayor
ATTEST: SEAL
Kathleen Porta,City Clerk