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Most states require a 2/3 majority to pass their budgets each year.True or False?

User Kosmotaur
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Final answer:

The statement that most states require a 2/3 majority to pass their budgets each year is false. While a 2/3 majority is relevant for significant legislative actions like constitutional amendments and overriding presidential vetoes, most state budget approvals are passed with a simple majority.

Step-by-step explanation:

The statement 'Most states require a 2/3 majority to pass their budgets each year' is false. In the United States, the requirement for a supermajority, such as a 2/3 majority, typically applies to more momentous decisions, such as constitutional amendments, rather than routine legislation like budget approval. Individual states may have different rules, but a simple majority is often sufficient for passing a budget. The idea of a 2/3 majority is more commonly associated with the U.S. federal government on issues of overriding a presidential veto or passing constitutional amendments.

For instance, a constitutional amendment requires a two-thirds vote by Congress and passage by three-quarters of the state legislatures. This is a much higher threshold than for regular legislation or annual budgets, which reflects the significance and permanence of such changes.

However, the topic of budgeting and supermajority requirements can sometimes overlap. For example, in some states, supermajority requirements may apply to specific fiscal decisions, such as raising taxes or issuing bonds. But these are exceptions rather than the rule and vary from state to state.

User Nitin Patel
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