November 8, 2006 10:50AM 

# Fiscal Results Mainly Bad 

By [Chris Edwards](https://www.cato.org/people/chris-edwards) 

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As a think tank that follows state ballot initiatives noted: “[Voters seemed to be in a fiscally expansiive mood](http://www.iandrinstitute.org/BW%202006-5%20(Election%20results).pdf)” \[pdf\] yesterday.

Caps on state government spending were rejected in Maine, Nebraska, and Oregon. The best chance for passage [had been Maine](http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/news/state/061108taboranalysi.html).

As usual, voters fell for the ruse of voting for tax increases when they are called “bonds.” Californians [imposed $43 billion in tax hikes on themselves](http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/C/CA_ELN_INFRASTRUCTURE_BONDS_CAOL-?SITE=CADIU&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT) and the next generation of young people by approving multiple bond offerings.

There was some scattered good news. California rejected a proposal to raise energy taxes. And South Carolina voters [approved a cap on property tax increases](http://www.charleston.net/assets/webPages/departmental/news/Stories.aspx?section=localnews&tableId=117478&pubDate=11/7/2006).

For further reading on the generally unhappy fiscal results, [read here](http://www.stateline.org/live/issues/Taxes+%26+Budget).

##### Related Tags 

[General](https://www.cato.org/general), [Tax and Budget Policy](https://www.cato.org/tax-budget-policy) 

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