February 14, 2009 08:34 PM UTC

Arveschoug-Bird: 25 Random Things About Me

• 4 Comments
• by: COFPI

( – promoted by Colorado Pols)

In honor of the Facebook phenomenon-25 Random Things About Me-we decided to have a little fun with an explanation of the Arveschoug-Bird 6 percent general fund appropriations provision, and how it’s hurting Colorado.  There is a lot of momentum in the legislature to get rid of the 6 percent, so that Colorado can maximize federal stimulus dollars, put all funding priorities on a level playing field, and strengthen our economic future.  So here are 25 things about Arveschoug-Bird.  

1.  Don’t worry about pronouncing my name right, just call me “the 6 percent.”  That’s what all my friends call me.

2.  I came to Colorado in 1991.

3.  I am a limit on appropriations, NOT on spending.  It really irks me when people get that wrong

4.  People think I’m a constitutional provision.  They are wrong.  I’ve never been in the constitution.

5.  I am different from the TABOR limit, even though people sometimes think we’re the same.  We don’t even look that much alike.  

6.  Although, similar to TABOR, I have a ratchet effect too.

7.  My ratchet effect means that when other states climb out of the recession when the economy recovers and their revenues come back, Colorado will be still be stuck in a recession rut.

8.  I could prevent Colorado from maximizing federal stimulus dollars.  I don’t want to, but I could.  And I probably will if I’m still around.    

9.  I don’t want to, but it’s possible that I could help perpetuate the recession.  

10.  So there is a move in the legislature this year to get rid of me.

11.  Not many people know this, but the General Assembly can get rid of me if they want to.  It’s that easy.

12.  It turns out a lot of people don’t like me, because I make it harder to invest in health care, education and other key priorities.

13.  Democrats and Republicans both think it’s a good idea to get rid of me.

14.  A whole bunch of different groups, representing thousands of Coloradans all think getting rid of me is a good idea.  

15.  It’s hard to be unwanted, but I understand.  Things change, economic realities change.  So it stands to reason that old ideas like me need to change too.

16.  Economic experts privately say that if I stick around until 2011, things will get much, much worse.

17.  I heard that even Doug Bruce doesn’t care if I get eliminated.  He cares more about TABOR than me.  I’m second fiddle.

18.  FYI-If I get eliminated, taxes will not be raised.  So if someone tells you that, they aren’t telling you the truth.

19.  Another FYI-If I get eliminated, spending won’t increase.  (Because I am a limit on HOW general funds get spend, not how much-that’s my buddy TABOR).

20.  If Colorado got rid of me, it would remove one major piece of the ridiculous, outdated fiscal knot that the state is in, and get our fiscal future on the right track.

21.  I’m very complicated.  There are all kinds of exceptions (cash funds, etc.).  If the general fund bumps up against me, then the statutory reserve is filled, and then any overflow dollars go to transportation first, and some to capital construction.  There are all kinds of formulas to figure this stuff out.

22.  Getting rid of me will help put all of the state’s priorities on level playing field, instead of pitting different areas of need against each other.  This would be good for everything:  education, healthcare, higher ed, even transportation.

23.  Breaking up is hard to do, but sometimes, it’s necessary.  So I’ll leave if you want me to.

24. Someday we’ll all have a good laugh about this. Or maybe not. No hard feelings.

25. To find out how you can help get rid of me and get Colorado out of the recession quicker, go to: coloradopolicymatters.blogspot.com.