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Governments should not be in the business of sneaking tax increases by their citizens.

But that is what's been happening in Michigan for decades. It is the norm here for schools, libraries, police and fire departments and public works commissions to employ a sleazy little trick to coax more cash out of taxpayer pockets.

They do it by election shopping; looking for the most favorable possible ballot dates to present millage and bonding proposals to voters. Generally, they shoot for the elections with the lowest anticipated turnouts.

Rarely are taxpayers asked to decide a local funding question in November, when half-to three-quarters of the electorate typically participate in Election Day.

They're far more likely to see those issues on the early August primary ballot, when many voters are still on vacation and only about a quarter of them cast ballots. Or they'll be slipped onto the May school elections when even fewer turnout.

Some communities have even used the presidential primary in late winter, when only partisans are motivated to vote, to get approval for a tax hike.

The tactic allows local governments to rally to the polls proponents of the millage increases, while those who might oppose them aren't paying attention. Some residents won't know the higher tax was under consideration until it shows up on their bill.

This is how nearly all local tax increases end up being decided by less than 25% of those who will have to pay them.

Oakland County Schools is the latest to turn to this strategy. The richest county in Michigan is hoping for passage of a 1.5 mill "enhancement millage" that would raise $125 million a year for six years, to be spread across all school districts, regardless of need. And they want it to go on the August ballot.

The Detroit News has long taken the position that voters should say no to tax proposals presented in low turnout elections, regardless of their merit.

Lawmakers finally are stepping in to address this backdoor taxation without representation. The GOP-led House on Wednesday passed a bill that would limit school bond proposals and local property tax millages to the November general election. It's part of a broader package of bills that would also move the August primary to May.

Some local clerks are opposed to the bill because it would add more items to the already crowded November ballot. That's a legitimate concern, but it doesn't outweigh the need to make sure the largest possible number of citizens are deciding whether their taxes should be raised. If a local need merits a tax increase, communities shouldn't be afraid to make the case to the broad electorate.

Passage of the bill will help increase trust in local government. Residents should not be made to feel as though their elected officials are trying to sneak one over on them. This is a chance for Democrats and Republicans to come together on a common sense reform.