Quote from the Editor>>"Putting government on a strict diet is an attractive scenario. But the problem with this approach is that what looks like a diet is in fact more like stomach stapling, a radical and risky procedure".

I have seen diets work very well for some. I have seen stomach stapling work for very large people.

I look at my taxes as going to one very large man. A 1,000 lb`er.

I vote for the stomach stapling and then cut them back to a regular diet.

I just have one ?. If Tabor is so BAD, why has it taken so long for the smart people of Colorado to get rid of a Tabor that the smart people of Colorado have had for a very long time??>>>>>>1993 to 2009 = 16 yrs Hum!!!!!!!!!!!

Voting Yes for the Tabor State

Nothing in TABOR says money needs to be cut from school budgets. How about leaving the school budget alone and cut/reduce/stunt growth in other parts of Government instead? A certain part of the population gets nervous when they hear that they can not have everything that they want. They can not have it all, have it now, AND have it paid for by someone else. I want whom ever is leading the state to have restrictions on how much of our money they can spend and borrow against. Get the vacuum cleaner hose out of my wallet. The Government keeps siphoning money from me so I can’t help support local business without any money in my checking account. The local business can’t keep workers employed without money in their payroll account. The Government doesn’t have any money. The source of funds comes from US the tax payer! I am sure the unions won’t like TABOR because when it is time for Government workers to negotiate their next contract they won’t be able to ask for everything under the sun because there will no longer be an “endless” supply of taxpayer dollars to draw from. LIVE WITHIN A BUDGET like I do! Government programs are running on borrowed money and taxes that haven’t been collected yet how is this sustainable? The state needs to stop living on a credit card. If we can’t afford it we can’t have it! Simple.

The author of this article wrote, "It is also why the business community in Colorado — the only state to adopt TABOR despite dozens of efforts nationwide — campaigned to suspend key parts of the law there. Colorado was growing by double digits before TABOR was passed, but once the growth slowed and TABOR’s restrictions were felt, the state eased those restrictions."

THE TRUTH IS, "Colorado has enjoyed more than a decade of above-average economic growth. The state, with its low taxes and highly educated work force, is cited regularly as one of the best places to do business and live. Colorado ranks high in income and consumption levels and, not surprisingly, also has managed to avoid some of the recession's brute force."

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2009/06/05/taxpayers_should_look_to_colorado_96851.html

BDN needs to do some real journalism and FACT CHECK before speading this type of tabloid trash.

Will the Far Left pro-socialism liberals ever stop telling lies?

As per the non-partisan report: “An analysis of the Maine Taxpayer Bill of Rights (TABOR), Question 4 on the November 3 ballot, by the Legislature's non-partisan Office of Fiscal and Program Review (OFPR) confirms opponents' threats and scare tactics are lies.” (Source: http://www.tabornow.com/news/72/27/d,News)

We need some major tax reform in Maine, and the best place to start is with a detailed review of the spending habits. This will take some time, but it must get done. YES on Q.2 and YES on Q.4 will be a good start to put us back on track, but the liberals must cut some of their pro-socialism programs and related jobs. Maine taxpayers deserve a more efficient government - the wasteful spending must be reduced!

The Bangor News has NEVER supported a tax cutting measure in my memory, and I've been reading their paper for 40 years. Everyone has heard this before, but it bares repeating. TABOR cuts NOTHING! it even allows reasonable increases based on population, and inflation. It allows larger increases IF people agree that they are needed.

Personally I don't see TABOR as a long term solution, I see it as a sign-post for legislators who seem to believe we (who live and work outside Augusta) have large hordes of money which they can confiscate at will. If the middle class is to remain in Maine, something must be done to make the law making class see that we are tapped out. I see TABOR as that message. Then, if we choose, we can remove it down the road after it has done it's job.

Last time when TABOR almost passed, the Governor and legislators short circuited it by convincing a majority of the voters that "they got the message" and would change their wasteful extravagant ways... They haven't. So by extension we must make them take notice.

Yes on 4

It will take some drastic measures to wake them up. Usually, you can tell which way to vote by simply voting the opposite of what the BDN suggests.

BeaverFood -- yes it will take drastic measures this time. Our state government has not listened in the past. Guess they think we are kidding. I'm voting YES ON 4

Mrman4000:

You cite an opinion piece as evidence, not a news story. Opinion pieces do not have to rely on facts.

Colorado did see increases in the years imeediately after TABOR was enacted, but that was in large part due to the huge influx of new residents to the state (which also allowed for more government spending per the TABOR formula). But that went away after immigration to the state slowed to a trickle, and the recession of 2001 hit - which ratcheted down spending limits to new lows. This same affect will happen in Maine, and be worse should TABOR pass this year, since Maine's spending and revenues are at historic lows do to the current economic downturn, the worst since the Great Depression.

Is this really the time to set limits?

FUrthermore, the fact is that over the same period, Mainers have seen more increase in wages than Coloradans have. This isn't an opinion - see for yourself here:

http://www.cbpp.org/cms/index.cfm?fa=view&id=2954

This without TABOR, of course.

HarryHSnyderIII:

As the editorial notes, the inflation index used by TABOR is for household inflation. Not sure about you, but we haven't bought a new firetruck lately, nor are we looking to plow miles of roads or repair them in the spring.

As for the other factor used, how much has the population in Maine increased on a yearly basis over the last ten years?

Tax, man (BDN Editor's version)

We now tell you how it should be;

the state should own all you can see

We love the tax, man

Another tax, man.

Our editors love tax and spend

Never oppose a bond, let's lend

the poor a hand, man

Need another tax, man

If you vote for libs, we'll sing your praise

If you don't, over the coals you'll braise

If you love the state, you'll never lack

If you don't, a knife we'll stab in your back

If you like Rush, RACIST to a tee

But love Barack, a saint you'll be

Tax, man!

Let's have a tax, man

Tax the fat man

The BDN thinks it's just fine

to tax and spend us into a bind

A vote for TABOR is a crime

Though tax cuts won't hurt one dime

And you're working for just one: Baldacci.

Taxman!

TABOR must be working in Colorado, if they can afford this foolishness!

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,569134,00.html?test=latestnews

This editorial explains the lack of coverage by the BDN on the recent press conference of Bill Owens,past Colorado Governor who reports the postive effects TABOR had on his state, His perspective on TABOR is just the opposite of the views expressed in this Editorial. He reports TABOR was the key iinstrument leading Colorado in 1992 from a state consumed with overspending, high taxes, economic downturn, exactly the scenario facing Maine today, to a State which witnessed the influx of a million more in population due to job creation,, a income growth 300% faster than Mainers in the last ten years, low taxes, and the second fastest growing economy in the country reported Forbes magazine this month.. Also lacking in coverage by this paper is the report to Senator Carol Weston from the non-partisan Office of fiscal and Program Review, after running the numbers reported that TABOR II DOES NOT CUT SPENDING! they went further in explaining that most of the rhetoric coming from TABOR opponents(Citizens Unified For Maines Future) are basically lies and scare tactics. WHERE IS THE FAIR AND BALANCE NEWS REPORTING FROM THE EDITORS OF THIS PAPER? In Maine today is the Colorado Education Commissioner (1997-2007) Bill Mahoney who reported that the "Mitton Lady" lady reporting about children attending schools with no heat was a joke , that she resides in a very affluent community near Aspen. For more information (minus the horror stories) checkout the TABOR YES website.to read and hear the interviews

Voting Yes here

as the editorial notes, the inflation index used by TABOR is for household inflation. Not sure about you, but we haven't bought a new firetruck lately, nor are we looking to plow miles of roads or repair them in the spring.

As for the other factor used, how much has the population in Maine increased on a yearly basis over the last ten years?

...and HOUSEHOLD inflation is what should be used. We (taxpayers with household budgets) pay the bills. I'm all for having an up-to-date fire department, but Whiting buys used firetrucks, from the big cities and we do quite nicely. It is always easier to "update" and improve with other people's money. I would like a new Cadillac Escalade, I'd be afer, it might save my life, and it would sure be fun to drive, AND if you'd let me spend your money to procure such a vehicle, I would have one tomorrow. Unfortunately, I'm using my own money, so I have to live within a budget set to my earnings. That budget (mine) is disordered by sudden steep rises in State, County and local tax. I have to get my budget under control. So I'm voting Yes on #4 and I'll put off buying that Escalade.

Excellent editorial! I feel a little vindicated. I've made these same points for months. Colorado has suspended parts of TABOR because of the damage it has done. Colorado has been seeing rapid economic growth inspite of TABOR. The huge migration of people and businesses from California over the last few decades has made that growth possible. Without TABOR that growth would have been much greater. People began to flee California when Calif passed Prop 13 the TABOR like law that sent the best in the nation school system in to free fall. The educated folks left Calif and built Colorado's school system into one of the best. Then TABOR passed. Now Colorado's school system is ranked below Maine's which has far fewer college graduates (an important group because they support funding and they can help the kids navigate the education k-College system.) And while Colorado is much larger than Maine nearly two-thirds of the state is occupied by Mountains meaning that the people are confined to a very small area resulting in a population density 4 times greater than Maine's. That results in lower transportation costs, bigger schools, economies of scale we don't enjoy here.

A Yes vote in this recession will wreck Maine's economy and education system.

Vote NO on 4

Ok, GeraldWeinand

http://www.mainepolicy.org/media/208/Setting_the_Record_Straight_on_Colorado/s_Taxpayer_Bill_of_Rights

Check out these FACTS

By J. Scott Moody and Barry W. Poulson, Ph.D.

As time draws closer for Mainers to pass the Taxpayer Bill of Rights (Question 4) on November 3, the rhetoric from the opponents grows more detached from reality.[1] When discussing Colorado’s Taxpayers Bill of Rights, opponents use terms such as “devastating” to describe its impact on Colorado’s economy and government. However, an objective look at the data tells a much different story. Consider these facts:

•Between FY 1990 and FY 2008, Colorado’s personal income has tripled while population growth has grown by 49 percent. As a result, in 2008, Colorado had the 13th highest income per person in the country - $42,377 for every man, woman and child.

•Between FY 1992 and FY 2007, actual state government spending in Colorado nearly tripled. Whether measured on a per person or a percent of personal income basis, Colorado’s state government has most certainly not been “devastated.” A healthy, private sector economy is obviously good for government too.

•Colorado’s superior economic performance owes much to the Taxpayer Bill of Rights, which was the reason for the return of an estimated $6.7 billion returned to taxpayers between FY 1997 and FY 2007 via tax rebates and tax cuts.

•Helped by the tax rebates/cuts, Colorado has the 5th largest private sector share of personal income in the country (76.9 percent) in 2008. This is vitally important because there is a strong correlation between the size of a state’s private sector and the state’s overall economic well-being.

And to answer your question "Maine's spending and revenues are at historic lows do to the current economic downturn, the worst since the Great Depression."

Is this really the time to set limits?

The answer is YES! If you take a decrease in pay at your job is that really the time to cut your personal spending? YES! If Maine's revenues are at a historic low should we set limits? YES! If we do not have the money how can we spend it? We can not keep living on a credit card because someone in Maine wants, wants, wants. It is like giving your teen child your credit card, they don't care how much they spend because they figure you, the parent will just have to somehow work more to pay the bill. We the people need to take away the credit card. I promise if the state lets me keep more of MY money I will spend it and help get the economy going again.

Californians fled because their state is BANKRUPT! Not a good state to set an example of fiscal responsibility

TABOR has been very good for Colorado overall and very well received, my parents live there.

Heaven forbid that Maine's economy would enjoy any type of growth like Colorado's.

JonAlbrecht:

People are fleeing California because of two reasons:

1) You can't afford to live there because of the crushing tax burden and

2) Jobs are drying up and relocating anywhere but there due to the crushing tax burden

This recession is the best time to restrict the State's spending, not the worst. Everyone else has to do more with less; all TABOR stipulates is that Augusta has to do the same job they currently do with the same resources. TABOR stipulates not a single cut anywhere.

Yes, California, with the imitative that led to TABOR - Prop 13. That is what has bankrupt that state, just like TABOR is about to bankrupt Colorado.

You don't hear Colorado crying for the repeal of TABOR...you hear them calling to increase the tax base, which means more jobs. Prop 13 doesn't eliminate tax growth...it requires lawmakers to raise taxes when justified, which they can't do.

STARVE THE BEAST!!!!!!!!

1. State income tax

2. Property tax

3. Excise tax

4.Sales Tax

5. Gas tax

These are just a few taxes these people get from you not counting all the other fees you have to pay. Hunting and fishing parks etc.

All other dept. that go get money.

It's time starve the beast. Start over.....

It's funny that the anti-TABOR folks focus on the fact that two measures have failed in the past. Supposedly, according to our spineless stae leaders, Augusta got the message: cut spending. Well, they may have gotten the message, but chose to ignore it. This is why such a referendum is up again. Unfortunately this will fail again, as 1/2 the state stands there with their hands out, and the other half (Brunswick south) might as well be Northern Massachusetts.