Two Potential Reforms

My friend and economic mentor Ron Baker has proposed two potential reforms at the national level that would work for Texas as well. Here are his ideas:

Idea 1: Extended voting rights

Each citizen of the United States, in addition to their eligibility to vote in their local Congressional and State Senate races, would be entitled to one additional vote in any local Congressional race in the USA, and in any State Senate Race in the USA, of his or her choosing.

This could assist in overcoming the tyranny of a minority who continuously elect Congressman or Senators who yield disproportionate power relative to their constituents, such as Speakers of House, Majority and Minority Leaders, or other highly visible, powerful Congressman. It would have the added benefit of nationalizing some high-profile elections, making it easier to remove from office those whose policies have had a deleterious effect beyond their districts or State.

Idea 2: Multiplier for earmarks

The Internal Revenue Tax Code would be amended to include the following:

Form 1040, Line 60 (per 2009 form) would be multiplied by a calculation for each citizen’s local Congressman (to be computed based on the voting record of the tax year in question):

Tax Multiplier = Total Spending voted for by your local Congressman/Total Revenue voted for by your local Congressman

For example, if your local Congressman voted for $1 trillion in spending and $500 billion in revenue, you would multiply your 1040 Total Tax by a factor of 2. If the numbers were reversed, you'd multiply your Total Tax by .5.

Incentives matter

We don't wash rental cars, or ask our barber if we need a haircut. These two proposals would have a profound impact on Congressional and Senate races, giving the voters more power to remove errant Congressman. Next to eliminating pay-as-you-go tax withholding, it is an idea that should be tested. What have we got to lose?

I think the idea of extended voting rights is brilliant both at the state and national level. Since we seem to have to pay for the excesses of others this would at least give us a little more say. It is a much better solution than term limits and it easy to imagine how it could work on the state level.

While I like the idea of the multiplier on earmarks, I think it needs some more crafting. In theory, a representative could lower his constituents tax bill by voting for tax increases. While this would be counterbalanced by the possible voting out of tax increasers, it could cause some other unintended consequences. In addition, it would be more difficult to implement in Texas because there is no state income tax. (By the way I am opposed to a state income tax.) However, the multiplier could be assessed on the property tax bill.

I agree with Ron, both are ideas that should be tested.