Panel proposes letting voters amend state constitution to ease budget woes
Posted: 11/05/2009 01:00:00 AM MST
Updated: 11/06/2009 02:58:02 AM MST
A panel looking at the state's long-term budget problems recommended legislation on Wednesday to give voters the chance to overhaul the state constitution in 2012.
The proposal would create a new, one-time method to amend the state constitution, allowing voters to consider recommendations made by a special "fiscal policy constitutional commission" of 19 citizens.
The idea was approved Wednesday on a 4-2 vote by lawmakers serving on the Long-Term Fiscal Stability Commission, a 16-member panel looking at how to address the state's perennial budget crisis. Only the six lawmakers on the panel have binding votes, and Democrats prevailed on a partyline vote.
