The group circulating a petition that would amend the state constitution to curb state spending announced Thursday that it is suspending its efforts.

The group, Empower the Taxpayer, had until Jan. 22, 2009, to collect the 25,688 signatures to place a measure on the ballot that would have restricted the state or its political subdivisions from increasing spending above the federal consumer price index without 60 percent of voter approval.

With just six weeks to go before the deadline to submit the signatures to the secretary of state's office, the group instead withdrew its petition.

Ron Almquist, the group's chairman, told reporters Thursday that the petition had nearly 80 percent of the signatures needed, but added he did not think it would have the public support to pass on a ballot in light of the financial meltdown and the failure of Measures 1 and 2.

"We believe the public is not ready to take the first major step in putting spending back into the hands of voters and taking it out of the hands of special interest," Almquist said.

Measure 1 would have created a new oil trust fund and Measure 2 would have cut income taxes in half and corporate income taxes by 15 percent.

Secretary of State Al Jaeger approved the group's petition to amend the state constitution in January 2007, and said it is unusual for a group to withdraw a petition before it expires.

Almquist said the group will watch what happens during the upcoming legislative session.

"We hope it is not a repeat of the last session that increased spending at four times the rate of CPI," Almquist said. "In fact, we are challenging the Legislature to hold the budget increase to the CPI."

(Reach reporter Brian Duggan at 223-8482 or brian.duggan@;bismarcktribune.com.)