The municipal officers of this State shall notify the inhabitants of their respective cities, towns and plantations to meet, in the manner prescribed by law for holding a statewide election, to vote on the acceptance or rejection of this Act by voting on the following question:

"Do you favor increasing the sales tax imposed on tangible personal property and taxable services from 5% to 6% in order to fund in equal proportions an increase in the homestead tax exemption from $7,000 to $20,000 and to provide an addition to funds for general purpose aid for local schools?"

The legal voters of each city, town and plantation shall vote by ballot on this question and designate their choice by a cross or check mark placed within the square below the word "Yes" or "No." The ballots must be received, sorted, counted and declared in open ward, town and plantation meetings and returns made to the Secretary of State in the same manner as votes for members of the Legislature. The Governor shall review the returns and, if it appears that a majority of the legal votes are cast in favor of the question the Governor shall proclaim that fact without delay, and Part A takes effect 30 days after the date of the proclamation.

The Secretary of State shall prepare and furnish to each city, town and plantation all ballots, returns and copies of this Act necessary to carry out the purposes of this referendum.

SUMMARY

This bill requires a referendum question on the November ballot that asks the voters of the State to increase the state sales tax from 5% to 6% in order to fund an increase in the homestead tax exemption from $7,000 to $20,000 and to provide additional revenues for general purpose aid for local schools.