JOINT RESOLUTION EXPRESSING THE INTENT OF THE LEGISLATURE TO ENSURE RESPONSIBLE GOVERNMENTAL EXPENDITURES

WHEREAS,  the Members of the One Hundred and Twenty-second Maine Legislature enacted limitations to ensure responsible and sensible governmental expenditures; and

WHEREAS,  the people of the State of Maine have placed their trust in elected officials; and

WHEREAS,  we, the Members of the One Hundred and Twenty-third Maine Legislature, honor the solemn trust the people of the State of Maine have bestowed upon us; and

WHEREAS,  the Attorney General of Maine has opined that a joint rules change requiring a 2/3 majority to override the spending limitations would likely be found unconstitutional, if reviewed by the Maine Supreme Judicial Court; now, therefore, be it

That We, the Members of the One Hundred and Twenty-third Legislature of the State of Maine now assembled in the First Regular Session, reaffirm our commitment to remain under the spending cap on governmental expenditures as enacted by the One Hundred and Twenty-second Maine Legislature; and be it further

That suitable copies of this resolution, duly authenticated by the Secretary of State, be transmitted to the Honorable John Elias Baldacci, Governor of the State of Maine.