November 5, 2007

Refocusing Government on Its Spending Problem

In 2003, the voters of Spring Hill, Tennessee, approved a city charter change that requires that property tax increases be approved by voters in a referendum. Today, the city of Spring Hill is facing a bit of a revenue shortfall - but not because of that charter change. Instead, a key reason is that the government of that city was lax in in its spending controls. But the charter amendment is having an impact: Although some people are suggesting a property tax increase, city officials and elected leaders seem to be talking more about how to cut expenses.

That's a refreshing change in how government usually works.

Nashville voters passed a similar amendment to the city charter in 2006. Next time Nashville faces a revenue crunch, pay attention and see if that amendment doesn't force city officials and elected leaders to turn first to spending cuts rather than the old stand-bye of tax increases.