TABOR, or not TABOR; That is the Question
Things are really beginning to heat up in the debate over whether or not Maine needs to change the manner in which tax increases are adopted. With a grass roots movement and the momentum of a very successful citizens' initiative the Taxpayers Bill of Rights, TABOR, will be the hot button issue on the November 7th ballot.
Groups have aligned in opposition to TABOR. For example, one group, Citizens United, is claiming that under TABOR nearly a third of Maine's schools will face budget cuts. It should be noted that the Maine Education Association is a partner of the Citizens' United.
Citizens United also claims that TABOR will lead to cuts in important local services such as public safety and road maintenance. Maine Municipal Association, MMA, is also a partner in Citizens United.
Citizens United is also claiming that TABOR will harm state programs such as health care for the elderly. The American Aassociation of Retired Persons, AARP, is a partner in Citizens United.
The partners claim that TABOR will require budget cuts even if a majority of local elected representatives oppose them.
One thing that all the partners have in common is their dependence on government programs and public funds (taxes). It is particularly notable that organizations such as the Maine Municipal Association are funded by dues assessed to member Towns, paid for with local property taxes. In other words, even someone who is supporting passage of TABOR, is paying taxes which are helping to fund opposition to TABOR.
It seems that those whose incomes are dependent on what politicians call "the revenue stream", commonly known to us in the private sector as TAXES, are lining up in opposition, while the average voter tends to support TABOR.
In one way or another a decision will be made on November 7th. Without TABOR the constant call for tax reform will continue, nothing will slow the growth of government , and businesses will continue to cry foul.
It's not surprising then that the Citizens United to Protect Our Public Safety, Schools and Communities is trying to scare the daylights out of voters. As George Bernard Shaw remarked, " The government that robs Peter to pay Paul, can always count on the assistance of Paul."
Other groups have also embarked on expensive advertising campaigns to thwart the Taxpayers' Bill of Rights. I wonder where the funds come from to oppose an effort designed to reduce the growth of government and taxation.
Will TABOR end life as we know it, or will it help restore "power to the people"?
posted by Art | 10/12/2006 10:16:00 AM
9 Comments:
Anything that slows the growth of tax funded budgets is good in my mind. The fire departments will still be funded. The schools will operate. The police will be on the roads.
Those opposed to TABOR are addicted to the status quo and the pocketbooks of the working taxpayers.
I sure hope that TABOR becomes law. When politicians talk about tax reforms it usually means new taxes. When new taxes are forced on us it usually is to fund some feel good program,but when you look behind the scenes who is really benefitting from the program? Bureaucrats and relatives.
TABOR might be more than just a speed-bump slowing down the pigs on their way to feed at the public trough.
As a school employee, I see many examples of waste; so much of what goes on in the buildings has nothing to do with kids or education.
I am afraid though that if TABOR is successful the administrators and school board will make it more miserable for students as they protect themselves and their friends from budget cuts.
I'm still taking my chance with TABOR.
Too bad anonymous doesnt have the courage to identify themselves so that the "wasted money" could be noted and corrected. Or maybe they could contact a board member or the superintendent to accomplish the goal. Too sit back and say they see waste and not the courage to do anything about it makes me wonder if they know what they are talking about.
Here's an excerpt from an article in the Oct. 17, 2006 issue of the BDN:
"Citizens United claims to be fighting for the best interests of Maine citizens - their name says so, after all - by opposing the Maine Taxpayer Bill of Rights. A closer look at their PAC report shows something different.
In all of 2006, Citizens United raised an astounding $676,850. Pretty impressive, until you learn that less than 3 percent of this amount came from individuals actually from Maine. To break it down even further, only 15 Maine citizens and three Maine businesses felt the Citizens United cause was worth donating to.
In all, over 75 percent of Citizens United's fund came from national organizations, over half a million dollars. The National Education Association alone donated $250,000. Another 20 percent of their total funds came from 8 special interest groups, to the tune of $138,000.
That doesn't sound like a citizen supported effort to me.
A look at the Maine Taxpayer Bill of Rights' PAC report demonstrates a true citizen supported initiative.
The Maine Taxpayer Bill of Rights has raised a little over $225,000. But it's not just the total contributions that tell the story; it's the number of contributors. In all, over 550 individuals and businesses have contributed to our cause. Our fundraising efforts represent a tremendous outpouring of support from folks all across the state who want controlled government spending and a reduced tax burden." (BDN, Oct.17,2006)
Who's looking out for you?
The largest donors to Citizens United (group against TABOR) are the Maine Municipal Association and the teachers' unions. Go look at the PAC report at Maine.gov.
At the Maine.gov Pac donation website, Citizens United didn't file a report in July. I thought that was illegal for PACs not to report even if they had no activity.
The Maine Municipal Association, since July, has donated $85,000. Did they donate anything between April and July?
In spite of the opponents' rhetoric (doom and gloom when TABOR passes), there seems to be mounting evidence that the average citizen is supportive of TABOR.
The exagerated claims and misinformation is designed to scare the voters into supporting the addictions of MMA, MEA and other like groups, to the taxes of hard-working, middle-class Mainers.
What makes TABOR even more necessary, is the fact that Maine taxes are being used by these groups to fund this campaign against the very people they are trying to mislead.
Those of you who support TABOR should take heart in the fact that there are more of us (voters) than there are of them (bureaucrats and special interests).
Let the people vote!
In a recent anti-TABOR radio commercial, former legislator, Town Manager, and longtime politician, Donald Strout of Corinth, makes a claim that had TABOR been in effect a decade ago, a police officer and ambulance attendant would have been cut from the Bucksport budget, as well as the entire library services in Brewer and also library services and curbside trash pick-up in Milo.
I always thought he was better than that. It is patently unfair to state categorically what would have happened without also conceding that the voters in those situations would have also had the opportunity, and the likelihood of voting to exceed the limits under TABOR.
Playing loosely with the facts does not enhance the debate over TABOR. It is instead, a smear on the reputations of those who engage in these tactics.
He’s right about one thing; the best solution IS Maine’s people, and THEY will decide on November 7th, in spite of the campaign by MMA and others to obscure the facts.
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