(RALEIGH) -- One North Carolina lawmaker is seeking to permanently cap how much the state budget can grow each year.  Republican Rep. John Blust has proposed a constitutional amendment that would prevent General Fund spending from going up, after adjusting for population growth and inflation.

Blust said the so-called Taxpayer Bill of Rights could have prevented the current budget shortfall. "This will simply put some brakes on the promises politicians make by spending other people's money," said Blust.

In the event that the state collects more revenue than expected, some money would first be set aside in an emergency fund. But Blust said the rest of the surplus would have to be given back. "That would be determined by future legislators exactly what taxes you would cut to give tax relief to return that excess money to taxpayers," added Blust. Lawmakers could authorize spending beyond the proposed budget limits, but that would require a two-thirds vote.

If the proposal passes the legislature, it must also get voter approval.