Six weeks into fiscal year 2005-06, the General Assembly has a budget proposal from the conference committee. It includes $17.2 billion in spending (up 7.9 percent from 2004-05), over $700 million in higher taxes and fees, and $681 million in extra collections. This spending is well above the governor’s spending cap. A constitutional tax and expenditure limit would provide the best insurance against permanent tax increases from reckless spending.