In theory, TELs vary in the extent to which they restrict local government taxing and spending levels although none of them is absolutely restrictive in practice. With this consideration, Joyce and Mullins (1991) further divide TELs into two broad categories according to their potential effects on government fiscal outcomes: potentially binding TELs and nonbinding TELs. Potentially binding TELs include (1) overall property tax rate coupled with assessment increase limits, (2) specific property tax rate 96 Public Finance Review 42(1) Downloaded from pfr.sagepub.com by guest on October 19, 2015 coupled with assessment increase limits, (3) property tax levy limits, (4) general revenue limits, and (5) general expenditure limits. Potentially nonbinding TELs include (1) overall property tax rate limits only, (2) specific property tax rate limits only, (3) assessment increase limits only, and (4) full disclosure. Potentially nonbinding TELs are considered less restrictive than potentially binding ones in that local governments, if attempting to raise property tax revenues, could circumvent the rate limitations by increasing assessment values of the properties and vice versa. This classification implies not only a physical ceiling but also public sentiment toward local taxing and spending (Joyce and Mullins 1991).