House Democrats voted down a constitutional amendment that would have allowed a progressive income tax, then voted against a measure to ban future income taxes, all within minutes. As NH Journal reported, the back-to-back votes left Republicans needling Democrats over their position on the issue.
NH Journal noted that the income tax has long divided the party, unpopular with voters but favored by its progressive base. That tension was on full display on the House floor.
That conflict was on clear display Thursday when House Democrats voted down a constitutional amendment allowing the creation of a progressive income tax, then voted against a ban on future income taxes, all within a space of five minutes.
NH Journal
One Republican summed up the moment with a quip that gave the NH Journal story its name.
“It’s ‘Schrödinger’s Tax,’” one Republican joked.
NH Journal
According to NH Journal, the House Democratic leader rushed to distance the caucus from the income tax amendment. She told the chamber the party’s position was clear.
“The bottom line is that Granite Staters do not want an income tax. Period.”
NH Journal
The progressive income tax amendment failed by a lopsided margin, NH Journal reported. The outlet recorded the tally.
The amendment was voted down by a massive 322-16 margin.
NH Journal
On the underlying amendment to ban income taxes, the outlet reported how Democrats lined up.
Then the original constitutional amendment to ban income taxes was brought up and, despite the Democrats’ “no income tax” rhetoric, all but four Democrats voted against it.
NH Journal
Read the full story at NH Journal.
