No to TABOR!

In November 2009, a measure known as TABOR, the so-called Taxpayers Bill of Rights, will be appearing on the state’s ballot. Maine voters rejected TABOR in 2006 when our economy was stronger. National anti-government groups are back pushing this bad idea. TABOR will destabilize funding for schools, roads and public safety when communities are already struggling to find money just for the basics. In these times, we need to pull together and focus on what’s important – saving our jobs, our schools and our children’s future. Don’t be fooled. In the middle of an economic crisis, this proposal is risky and makes even less sense now than it did when we voted it down three years ago.

TABOR is Foreign to Maine
Maine is one of several states being targeted by nationally-funded anti-government groups to enact TABOR proposals. Their well-funded attempts have largely been unsuccessful because they are out of touch with community values and state and local fiscal realities. The goal of TABOR is not to improve but to erode services like education, public safety and health care. Over one hundred Maine organizations signed on against the first TABOR referendum including the Maine Parent Federation, the Maine Library Association, the Maine Council of Senior Citizens and the Maine Council of Churches. Even more people are getting ready to speak out against TABOR now.

One State Tried TABOR, and Now Wishes They Hadn't
In 1992, Colorado enacted TABOR, a constitutional amendment that limits the annual growth in state revenues and expenditures to the sum of the inflation rate and the percentage change in the state’s population. Since then, Colorado declined from 35th to 49th in the nation in K-12 spending; lost 31% of its funding for higher education; and doubled the number of low-income children in the state without health insurance – making Colorado the worst in the nation. In Colorado, TABOR lead to slower job growth, delayed economic recovery during periods of recession and cost citizens more money. Colorado lawmakers and voters have since suspended the law for five years in order to restore funding for schools and other basic public services.

We Can't Afford More Uncertainty Right Now
Pick up any local newspaper and you’re bound to read a story about a small town in Maine struggling to pay the bills. Whether it’s a school trying to pay for fuel or a town trying to get enough snowplows out, or the fire and ambulance service desperately needing a new vehicle, Maine communities are hurting. And so are Maine families. Unemployment is up, retirement savings are down, mortgage payments are hard to come by, and parents are telling their youngsters that college may be out of the question. The economy and two years of budget deficits are already taking a toll on Maine. TABOR virtually guarantees our state will have to cut services even more every year. Maine can’t afford to compromise our economy, our communities and our children’s futures by enacting a failed program like TABOR.

Maine Has A Proud Tradtion of Direct Democracy
When it comes to civic engagement and voter turnout Maine people excel. We participate in direct democracy through town meetings. We come out to vote on school and town budgets. Our selectman and local officials are our neighbors and even when we disagree, we conduct the people’s business with civility and compassion. TABOR will set in place a new process that is complicated, confusing and expensive for raising fees and taxes.  It will tie our budget to a formula that doesn't work. This will mean the people we elect will no longer be able to perform the function of balancing budgets that we entrust them to do.

TABOR is One More Expense We Don't Need
When communities pass a town budget or decide to invest in the future for anything that doesn’t meet TABOR’s rigid spending limits, a referendum will have to be held. Every time this happens, Maine communities will foot the bill. Bond rating agencies have said that Maine’s credit rating would drop if TABOR provisions were adopted due to the uncertainty created by its formula and restrictions.

• To volunteer to help MPA defeat this dangerous proposal, click here. Together, we can protect the future of our state and our communities.

Some information courtesy of the Maine Economic Policy Council

Maine People’s Alliance—Organizing for a Better Maine!

565 Congress St., Suite 200, Portland, Maine 04101; (207) 797-0967; mpa@mainepeoplesalliance.org
27 State Street, Suite 44, Bangor, Maine 04401; (207) 990-0672; jesse@mainepeoples alliance.org
145 Lisbon Street, Suite 200, Lewiston, Maine 04240; (207) 782-7876; kate@mainepeoplesalliance.org