Exploring the Tax Revolt: an Analysis of the Effects of State Tax and Expenditure Limitation Laws

Abstract

This article explores what has come to be known as the Tax Revolt, which reached Abstract its zenith during the late 1970s with the widespread enactment of fiscal constraints at the state and local level in the United States. The focus here is on expenditure and revenue limitation laws and their effects on the growth of state government. To consider whether these laws have been effective in constraining the growth of government, an empirical analysis is conducted for the states that have enacted such laws. Data is analyzed from these states over a thirty-five year period, and considers the effects on tax growth due to the presence of a limitation measure. The results show quite strongly that revenue and expenditure limitation laws can be effective tools to contain tax burdens. The results also indicate that the form of the constraint is important and that the effect of limitation rules may also be tied to other constraint mechanisms.