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Policymakers should encourage and promote maximum participation in the electoral process.
Taxation is the primary way governments fund essential programs and services. The following principles support this goal while also ensuring equity in how revenues are raised.
Qualified voters should not be excluded from voting because of:
Legislative and regulatory meetings and procedures should promote public participation, be fair, and ensure accountability.
Governments should create and enforce strong ethical standards for government officials. These standards should promote honesty, integrity, and transparency.
Nominees and appointees should be qualified for their chosen roles. They should be committed to the enforcement of the laws they administer or interpret.
Governments should require full and timely disclosures of lobbying activities and expenditures. Restrictions should include provisions such as limits on gifts.
Maintaining trust and confidence in the government requires strong democratic processes and government institutions.
Due to their regressive nature, raising state and local sales taxes should not be the first choice for increasing tax revenues.