AUBURN – The Auburn School Committee is opposing passage of Question 1, the Taxpayer Bill of Rights to limit spending, on Tuesday’s statewide ballot.

Committee members voted 7-0 Wednesday to oppose the referendum. That vote came after members heard recent presentations from both sides and after discussing what impacts passage would have on schools.

Reasons why the committee opposes the referendum include:

• The required two-thirds majority for passage of budgets by city councils or school boards “is contrary to long-held American principles of majority rule,” said committee member David Das.

• The referendum may not provide tax relief, and could “easily increase the property tax burden,” Das said.

• The language behind the referendum that would become law if passed is confusing, and is interpreted differently by different people. “There is no guarantee that the state Legislature will amend the law if it passes,” Das said.

• If passed, the Taxpayer Bill of Rights would impose a budget timetable that would limit opportunity for residents’ input, and would make passing a responsible school budget more difficult, Das said.