(Washington, D.C.) -- The Council for Citizens Against Government Waste (CCAGW) today reiterated its support for both the bipartisan Tax Limitation Amendment (TLA) and similar tax limitation efforts in states across the country.  CCAGW President Thomas A. Schatz singled out New Jersey, where a state house rally was held today to muster support for a bill that would require a two-thirds vote by New Jersey legislators to raise taxes on their citizens.

“On behalf of CCAGW’s 17,000 New Jersey members I strongly support the two-thirds super-majority to raise taxes on New Jersey residents and urge the legislature to pass the measure,” Schatz stated.  “CCAGW also commends Governor Christine Todd Whitman for her leadership on this issue.”  

The New Jersey proposal is part of a growing trend across the country which has seen super-majority laws enacted in seven states since 1992, with measures pending in 15 others.  States with super-majority laws have enjoyed slower growth in taxes and spending and faster economic growth than states where the super-majority is not required.

“The urge to raise taxes that exists among lawmakers has made this a necessity and it is proven to be effective,” Schatz added.  “There ought to be an overwhelming public interest for any increase in taxes before taxpayers are separated from their hard-earned money.”

The tax limitation movement is alive and well in Washington, D.C. where U.S. Rep. Joe Barton (R-Texas) is spear-heading the effort.  The TLA has failed to get the required two-thirds majority for a constitutional amendment the past two years, but will come up for a third vote in the House when Congress returns from recess in late April.  The TLA would require that Congress have a two-thirds super-majority to increase taxes.  If passed, the measure would then need ratification by 38 states in order to become the 28th amendment to the U.S. Constitution.  

“There is always a great temptation to milk the taxpayers to cover any spending initiative Congress conjures up, regardless of how trivial.  We must make it more difficult to raise taxes.  Passing the TLA is the first step,” Schatz added.

“Today's taxpayers are paying a high price for 60 years of Washington's fiscal irresponsibility.  In 1934, federal taxes accounted for only five percent of a family's income; today, the average family pays 20 percent.  Our 600,000 members are demanding financial discipline in Washington and are mobilized behind this courageous bipartisan effort by the House of Representatives to reform Washington's wasteful tax-and-spend culture.”

CCAGW is a 600,000-member lobbying organization dedicated to seeking enactment of legislation to eliminate waste, fraud and abuse in the federal government.  CCAGW has supported previous attempts to limit the ability of legislators to increase federal taxes.