The opposite of Bad UN law (all together now: “REDUNDANT!”) is any proposal by my former delegate who I helped in several elections when I lived in Prince William County: Del. Bob Marshall. (I must confess that when Bob first ran for delegate in 1991 I supported his opponent in the primary! But I said to myself that I hope Bob can win and win the general election. He’s been in ever since!) So a GOOD Bob Marshall idea is also redundant!
Del. Marshall’s latest idea is a state constitutional amendment:
“Any law that appropriates funds shall not contain any provision that imposes, continues, increases, or revives any tax, fee, or fine, nor shall any such law contain any provision that reduces or eliminates any credit, deduction, or exemption associated with any tax, fee, or fine.”
This may be legalese but the lawyer is to the rescue – here’s what it means: The legislature shall not increase any tax, fine or fee or decrease any deduction, exception or credit in an appropriation bill. It can be passed separately but not in the budget. Because the budget involves money, taxes can be raised without violating the single subject prohibition in the state constitution. Marshall’s bill is wise policy. It should be passed.
About Elwood Sanders
Elwood "Sandy" Sanders is a Hanover attorney who is an Appellate Procedure Consultant for Lantagne Legal Printing and has written ten scholarly legal articles. Sandy was also Virginia's first Appellate Defender and also helped bring curling in VA! (None of these titles imply any endorsement of Sanders’ views)
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