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October 14, 2009 04:34 PM UTC

Colorado To Maine: Don't Let TABOR Happen To You

  • 25 Comments
  • by: Colorado Pols

Former Colorado senator Steve Johnson (R) sounds the alarm in the Pine Tree State over their proposed Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights (TABOR), as the Bar Harbor Times reported last week:

While supporters of the latest go-round of the taxpayer bills of rights (TABOR II) say it is needed to rein in unchecked government spending, opponents decry the measure, saying it will hamstring government.

The Maine Municipal Association, which represents communities across the state, has been among the most vocal critics of TABOR II, which goes before voters on the November ballot. Among the issues MMA raises against TABOR are that the measure would keep spending ratcheted down to unreasonable levels even after economic times improve; that it requires statewide referenda for a net increase in spending of as little as $300,000, and that such referenda can cost in excess of $1 million; that it is too restrictive on special revenue accounts; that TABOR would make it impossible for the state to fully fund education; and that it strips local control away from communities…

MMA officials raised these points during a recent publishers’ forum with the editors of Village Soup newspapers. They also brought in tow someone who has seen up close what TABOR can do – Steve Johnson, a former state senator from Colorado, where a TABOR measure was approved as a constitutional amendment in 1992. Voters in that state voted for a five-year timeout from TABOR in 2005 – with much of the funding in the campaign to repeal coming from the business community – because of all the havoc it wreaked, said Johnson.

“It has done a tremendous amount of harm there,” said Johnson. He said the Colorado version of TABOR is tied to the Consumer Price Index and population growth, and those two factors do not accurately reflect what goods and services cost the state.

TABOR at first didn’t seem all that problematic, said Johnson, because Colorado was going through boom years economically. But when the economy worsened, TABOR hammered hard and its restrictions left the state in a painful financial vise.

“We’ve had to make devastating cuts in state services,” he said. “State funding was cut by 40 percent, and we had no general fund money for transportation.” Education funding was affected as well, he added…

“It doesn’t really create local control. If anything, it mandates your choices, and takes control away,” said Johnson. “It’s just not a good system.”

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25 thoughts on “Colorado To Maine: Don’t Let TABOR Happen To You”

  5. Steve Johnson was a bright star in the House and Senate.  It was a damn shame to lose him but I’m glad to see he’s still not afraid to speak out even if it is in Maine.

  6. He was a voice of reason in his party. I didn’t agree with him on social issues about 99% of the time and yet I still voted for him every time he ran. He earned my vote and then some.

    He was great at listening, wasn’t afraid to meet with voters and was accessible. He worked well with folks across the aisle and had a deep love for Colorado that overrode some of his party’s traditional fiscal platforms. I always thought his best trait was that he seemed to be open minded and willing to learn more, even if he didn’t agree with you.

    He served my district well and he is truly missed.

    Worse, now we’re stuck with Lundberg. It’s like we went from great to crappy overnight in SD 15.

    1. With Marostica gone, there’s really just Al White left to be the voice of reason from the right side of the aisle.

      Perhaps one day we will be able to live in a state where out elected officials can determine appropriate spending. That probably won’t happen as long as the clods at Independence Institute and the Tea Partiers have as much clout within the state GOP as they do though.

      I’m not complaining that much, of course, because their love affair with TABOR is helping to keep Democrats in power in this state, but it would make things a lot easier if there were more Steve Johnsons and fewer John Calderas.

      1. I could talk with Steve Johnson and he wasn’t my district Senator but he was a State Senator.

        John Caldera – I stopped trying after one conversation.

      2. You know, I remember when Steve and Angie Paccione came up to Estes Park to speak at a public forum and explain Ref C & D. To see them there, working together, in support of Ref C, was really what made me a fan of Steve’s.

        He took so much crap, intimidation and veiled threats from his party for breaking with them on Ref C and for publicly advocating for it. And moreover, he put his future political career at risk to do the right thing.

        I will long remember that he took a very unpopular stand within his party to advocate for Ref C, which I truly believe has kept this state afloat.

        Kind of reminds me of Snowe voting to move the HRC bill out of committee yesterday. Democrats on liberal blogs couldn’t bring themselves to praise her and Republicans couldn’t stop bashing her. I’d suggest that when everyone is displeased with you, it’s a good indication you are doing something very right.

         

      3. You got to ask yourself what really matters: politics as sport or politics as governing.

        Steve always took his role seriously.  It’s sad, I don’t even bother to try to talk to GOP legislators anymore (with a couple of exceptions).  Please GOP heal thyself.

    4. Richard Ball, is making the formal announcement on Friday, October 16th at 1:00pm, Foote Lagoon in Loveland, that he will be running as a Democrat against Sen. Lundberg!  Rich is a centrist Dem that can raise funds and get the support of the right and left in SD-15.  I can’t wait to defeat Lundberg.

      1. I’m looking forward to hearing much more about him and what he brings to a state senatorial campaign.

        Here’s a bit more information to flesh out the announcement:

        Fri, Oct 16: CAMPAIGN ANNOUNCEMENT: RICH BALL RUNNING FOR STATE SENATE DISTRICT 15

        Rich Ball, fourth generation Lovelander and long time attorney, will announce his run for State Senate District 15 on Friday October 16 at 1:00 at Loveland City Hall, Foote Lagoon.

        Rich has been a life long Democrat but has never run for office. He retired from the law practice in 2007 after 35 years.

        “In good conscience I could just not sit on the sidelines and watch any longer. Our county needs inclusive, problem solving, collaborative representation at the state Capitol. We have real problems, and we need someone who will listen to all our residents and use leadership to create solutions,” said Rich.

        Rich’s father Judge Conrad Ball served the County for nearly 20 years as District Judge.

        Rich attended the University of Colorado, with a Political Science degree and C.U. Law School. He has been active in civic affairs serving as President of Habitat for Humanity, Loveland Rotary Club and the Larimer County Bar Association. He currently serves on the boards of Pathways Hospice and the Fort Collins Symphony.

        Rich urges you to get involved with his campaign. Rich can be reached at richball2010@gmail.com or 970-776-6321. His web site will be http://www.richball2010.com.

        Date & Time: Friday, October 16, 1:00 pm

        Location: Foote Lagoon, Loveland City Hall

        For more info: richball2010@gmail.com or 970-776-6321

  7. …but didn’t Maine consider a TABOR-like amendment afew years back when Bill Owens was still Governor?  And didn’t he endorse the proposal at the time?  And waasn’t he charged with hypocrisy for supporting such and amendment at the same he supported “C” & “D”?  

  8. To me, common sense is limiting a goverment’s power to the point that permission is asked of the public when expansion is desired

    All my love and respect to Senator Johnson, as we Republicans are family

    Nonetheless, the Taxpayer Bill of Rights is sacred legislative text – again, our State Reps and Senators are our best and brightest – to ask that they get extra creative with their decisons, and ask for permission, is not asking much

    Again – TABOR is not preventing any tax increases – it’s just forcing our government to ask permission and that’s a good thing!

    God Bless Maine

    1. I thought it was only the U.S. Constitution that was handed down on stone tablets.

      But MAH’s contention at least explains why Colorado has been spared hurricanes and earthquakes since the mid 1990s — the Good Lord is rewarding us for adopting TABOR!

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