A group that seeks to limit North Dakota's government spending has resubmitted paperwork with the secretary of state's office to begin collecting petition signatures for an initiated measure.

The measure would restrict annual spending increases by the Legislature and local governing boards - including city and county commissions and school boards - to no more than the increase of a federal Bureau of Labor Statistics consumer price index. Sixty percent voter approval would be required to exceed the spending cap, the measure says.

A similar measure was withdrawn in September for wording changes. Backers said the first draft of the amendment did not make clear that the budget cap would be applied to both state and local governments.

"Our hope is that it is very, very clear at this time," said Ron Almquist, of Minot, who is chairman of the initiative campaign.

"Basically, it's to slow the growth of government … and give people a say on how money will be spent," Almquist said. "It's the only way we could figure out how to constrain the budget."

Secretary of State Al Jaeger received the proposed initiative petition on Thursday. Jaeger has until Jan. 8 to draft its ballot title, which is a short description of what the measure does.

The group hopes to put the measure to a statewide vote in November 2008. Supporters need petition signatures from at least 25,688 North Dakota voters to put the measure on the ballot.

"I think the majority of people are going to be for it," Almquist said.

Leon Mallberg, of Dickinson, the campaign's former chairman, is no longer listed among the petition's 25 sponsors. He could not immediately be reached for comment on Friday.

Almquist said Mallberg still would likely help circulate petitions.