The 251 to 101 vote exceeds the 3/5th needed to send the proposal on to the state senate. Prior to the vote, Manchester Republican Keith Murphy warned that while the income tax isn’t popular in Concord right now, that could change.
“Lest we forget in 1999 this body did pass an income tax of 4 percent, and every year since an income tax has been proposed in this body. We need to take the temptation off the table now and forever.”
Opponents of the proposal say permanently barring new taxes on income could lead to unintended consequences, like higher property and business taxes. To take effect the amendment needs 3/5ths support in the senate and 2/3rds support at the polls in November.