Relating to legal actions. Providing that taxpayers have standing to bring actions against the government

New Hampshire Ballot Measure - Constitutional Amendment Question 1

Election: Nov. 6, 2018 (General)

Outcome: Passed

Categories:

Civil Liberties and Civil Rights
Legal
Taxes

Summary


This constitutional amendment concurrent resolution provides that a taxpayer who is eligible to vote in the state has standing to petition the court to declare whether the state or the political subdivision in which the taxpayer resides has spent funds in violation of a law, ordinance, or constitutional provision.

Measure Text


Are you in favor of amending article 8 of the first part of the constitution to read as follows: [Art.] 8. [Accountability of Magistrates and Officers; Public's Right to Know.] All power residing originally in, and being derived from, the people, all the magistrates and officers of government are their substitutes and agents, and at all times accountable to them. Government, therefore, should be open, accessible, accountable and responsive. To that end, the public's right of access to governmental proceedings and records shall not be unreasonably restricted. The public also has a right to an orderly, lawful, and accountable government. Therefore, any individual taxpayer eligible to vote in the State, shall have standing to petition the Superior Court to declare whether the State or political subdivision in which the taxpayer resides has spent, or has approved spending, public funds in violation of a law, ordinance, or constitutional provision. In such a case, the taxpayer shall not have to demonstrate that his or her personal rights were impaired or prejudiced beyond his or her status as a taxpayer. However, this right shall not apply when the challenged governmental action is the subject of a judicial or administrative decision from which there is a right of appeal by statute or otherwise by the parties to that proceeding

Yes ( ) No ( )

Resources


Official Summary

Source
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