Vote NO on TABOR, Again.
A Bad Idea in 2006 --
An Even Worse Idea Now
On November 3rd, Maine ballot question #4 will be “An Act
to Provide Tax Relief,” or TABOR II. This bill is aptly called
TABOR II because it is a repackaged, but equally damaging,
version of the so-called Taxpayers’ Bill of Rights, or TABOR.
As you may recall, Maine voters rejected TABOR in 2006.
The law was a bad idea then and it makes even less sense now
during harder economic times.
TABOR II will hurt Maine people and communities in a
number of ways:
- TABOR II will weaken Maine schools, healthcare, public safety, and services for the elderly.
- TABOR II will slow job growth.
- TABOR II will delay economic recovery.
How TABOR II Works
TABOR II Imposes a Strict Formula on State and Local Government.
TABOR II imposes a rigid one-size-fits-all formula to set limits on public spending.
That formula restricts the growth in state spending to increases in the Consumer
Price Index (CPI) plus average population growth.
The TABOR growth limit is not realistic. It
does not include the cost of inflation for public
services or cost increases specific to Maine.
The spending limits imposed TABOR II do
not allow government to keep pace with the
economy.
TABOR II sets the year 2010 as the baseline
budget year from which state and local
spending will be allowed to grow. This
baseline year would change only if a year with
even lower spending levels occurs. Then that
would be the new baseline for future growth.
Setting 2010 as the first baseline would be
a terrible mistake. 2010 will be a low point
for revenue collections because we are in a
a national recession. By setting 2010 as the
baseline, TABOR II will cap spending at
historically low levels.
TABOR II Requires a Confusing
and Costly Process
- First, any spending or tax increase beyond the TABOR II limit will have
to be approved by a majority vote of the governing body.
- Second, if this majority vote is successful, it would then have to be approved
by the voters in a referendum. This would be very costly! Every referendum
vote will cost state and local governments more money. The cost of a statewide
referendum is approximately $1 million.
TABOR Is A Proven Failure
Colorado is the one state that has tried
TABOR legislation. As a result, Colorado
had drastic cuts in local and state services.
The state lost 31% of its funding for higher
education. It also was forced to reduce health
care services for many children and adults,
making it last in the nation in its coverage of
low-income children. In addition, TABOR
led to slower job growth, delayed economic
recovery during periods of recession, and it
cost citizens more money.
By 2001, many of those who had at first
supported TABOR admitted that it was
a failure. In 2005, Coloradans voted to
suspend TABOR in order to restore funding
for schools and rebuild other basic public
services. Colorado learned the hard way.
Maine should learn from their mistake and
reject TABOR II on November 3rd.
TABOR II Will Not Work In
Maine
National anti-government groups continue to
lead TABOR campaigns. They have targeted
Maine. They do not recognize that TABOR
does not represent Maine values. Maine
people are both practical and sensible. They
know the need to be flexible and resourceful
when it comes to problem solving. TABOR
II is neither practical nor sensible. It doesn’t
make sense to tie the hands of elected
officials so they can’t do their job. They need
to be able to tackle budget issues head-on as
our state and local communities try to move
forward during hard economic times.
TABOR II also weakens Maine’s tradition of
local control and town meetings. TABOR II
would replace local decision-making with a
complicated and burdensome process for all
Maine cities and towns, regardless of their
individual priorities and needs.
Maine has already been forced to make
cuts to some vital services and programs.
Enacting TABOR II will require larger and
larger cuts to state and local budgets. These
are cuts that Maine communities and Maine
people cannot afford. Programs in healthcare,
schools, and services for the elderly will
be put at greater risk. Maine can’t afford
to risk our economy, our communities and
our children’s futures by enacting a failed
program like TABOR II.
Beware Of False Promises
False Claim # 1
Those in favor of TABOR II claim that it
will lead to job creation. Don’t be fooled
– Nothing in TABOR II creates jobs. The
best way to create good jobs is to invest
in affordable health care and energy, good
schools, good roads, and public safety.
False Claim #2
Proponents of TABOR II argue that we need
to limit spending and taxation because our
economy is weak. They fail to recognize
that the Maine Legislature has already set
spending limits. The spending limits in place
since 2005 have reduced spending without
threatening Maine people and communities in
the way that TABOR II surely would.
False Claim #3
Proponents of TABOR II claim that Maine
citizens will have more power over our own
lives and finances under TABOR II because
you will get to vote on spending and tax
increases by referendum. What they fail to
say is that Maine people will have less control
at the local level because all towns and cities
will be locked into the rigid limits
and complicated process forced on us by
TABOR II. Maine people will not be able
to decide when vital programs are cut.
TABOR II’s pre-set formulas will actually
take power away from Maine citizens
stripping them of basic and critical services
and programs.
Over one hundred Maine organizations
signed on against the first TABOR
referendum and even more people plan
to speak out against TABOR II. This is
so important because Maine voters may
mistake TABOR II as a simple tax break
when they read the referendum question on
voting day. That is why it is critical that we
educate others on the importance of voting
NO on Question #4. Every voice matters
and we need your help to make sure that
TABOR II doesn’t pass this time around.
Help Defeat TABOR II On November 3rd:
Vote NO! on Question #4.
There are ways you can help defeat
TABOR II:
- Mailings;
- Phone calls;
- Sending letters to the editor; and
- Going door-to-door to register people to vote and to share information.
Go to
Vote No on Tabor to learn more,
to find out how you can take action, and to
hear why others are Voting NO on #4.
You can also call 632-6031 or send an email
to info[AT]votenoontabor[DOT]org.
MAIN
Update Table of Contents |
MAIN
Home Page |
MEJP Home Page
