Bottom line concerning the convolutedly written NH
Constitutional amendments on the Nov. ballot: vote NO, NO, and NO.
Information Sheet on Ballot Questions 1, 2 and 3
Ballot Question 1 is a constitutional amendment (CACR 13) proposed by the legislature:
In a letter dated April 18, 2012 to the New Hampshire Senate, various community leaders expressed concern that this amendment to the New Hampshire Constitution addresses a problem that does not exist and will result in court involvement in tax policy.
It will freeze the present tax system in place, increase reliance on business and property taxes, and make it extremely difficult for future leaders to fund pressing priorities. CACR 13 will result in increased “downshifting” of the tax burden from the State of New Hampshire to the local governments to fund crucial needs of our citizens.
If you share these concerns, you should vote “No” on Question 1 (CACR 13).
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Ballot Question 2 is a constitutional amendment (CACR 26) proposed by the legislature:
This amendment would allow the legislature to control the judiciary. And strikes at the heart of the separation of the powers of the legislature, executive and judiciary under the New Hampshire Constitution.
If you share these concerns, you should vote “No” on Question 2 (CACR 26).
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Ballot
Question 3 is proposed pursuant to Part II Article 100 of the
New Hampshire Constitution. A “yes” vote on this question
will result in an election of delegates who will hold a constitutional
convention. At the convention, these delegates will vote to make any
changes to the New Hampshire Constitution they wish. These changes will
then be presented to the NH electorate for approval. If you believe a constitutional convention would be too costly or is unnecessary at this time, you should vote “No” on Question 3.
1 See also, Testimony
of Jeff McLynch, Executive Director, New Hampshire Fiscal Policy Institute,
Before the Senate
Internal Affairs
Committee Regarding CACR 13,
April 4, 2012 and Hurn, Marcus, Latent Hazards in the Current
Language of CACR 13,
April 2, 2012.
2 Issue Brief, Constitutional
Limits on Taxes or Spending Would Increase Pressure on Local Property Taxes, March 20,
2012, New Hampshire Fiscal Policy Institute.
3 New
Hampshire Bar News, September 14, 2012,“Opinion: The Legislature should Not Run
the Courts”, by Stephen E.
Merrill and Hon. Joseph P. Nadeau.
