TABOR - Don't let your legislator hand you a lemon!

The Taxpayer Bill of Rights, otherwise known as TABOR, has made it's way to the Pennsylvania General Assembly in the form of the Taxpayer Fairness Act. It is imperative to know the facts and what exactly this could do if it is adopted in our state. The bottom line is the Taxpayer Fairness Act is designed to under fund government programs such as education, higher education, Medicaid, and in some states has lead to the early release of convicts. Over time this will shrink government, privatize programs, and reduce the size of the public sector.

Sample Letter for Campaign

Subject: Don't Starve Pennsylvania!

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

We urge you to oppose SB 4, SB 884, HB 2067, and HB 2082. We also ask that there be a call for public hearings that will provide an opportunity for legislators and constituents alike to understand the implications of this proposed legislation. This issue is too important and too complex to hastily pass through the chambers without public input.

Supporters of this legislation argue that it is important to reduce the size of government and increase accountability. Critics are aware that states where spending limits, like those proposed in this legislation, have been enacted have had a negative impact on healthcare, K-12 education, higher education, Medicaid, and Corrections.

The fact is this will shrink government and will slowly starve the services on which citizens of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania rely.

Thank you for your prompt action on this important issue, and I look forward to hearing of your position regarding this legislation.

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
November 17, 2005

Background Information

Everything that government funds is at stake if our elected officials choose to vote in favor of the Taxpayer Fairness Act. Colorado was the first state to adopt the Taxpayers Bill of Rights (TABOR) in 1992. Today they are re-thinking that decision. According to the Los Angeles Times, October 23, 2005 "The problem: Colorado's spending controls appear to have worked too well. Now some of the most strident fiscal conservatives in Colorado -- long viewed as a model for others considering such restraints -- say the cap has strangled government. There is talk of closing community colleges, privatizing the university system, and releasing inmates early."

If Pennsylvania chooses to move forward with their Taxpayer Fairness Act modeled very similar to that of Colorado our state could face the same fate. Check out these alarming statistics:

TABOR has affected health care for adults. Colorado has fallen from 20th to 48th for the percentage of low-income, non-elderly adults covered under health insurance.
In 1992, Colorado's average per-pupil K-12 funding was $379 below the national average. By 2001, it was $809 below the national average.
Colorado's average teacher salary compared to average pay in other occupations declined from 30th to 50th in the nation.
Colorado plummeted from 24th to 50th in the nation in the share of children receiving their full vaccinations. Only by investing additional funds in immunization programs was Colorado able to improve its ranking to 43rd in 2004.
Tuitions have risen as a result. In the last four years, system-wide resident tuition increased by 21 percent (adjusting for inflation)
This will impact our retiree's quality of living by hurting their ability to receive Cost of Living Adjustments in their pensions
In 2002, Colorado ranked 49th in both the percentage of low-income adults under 65 and the percentage of low-income children covered by Medicaid. This indicates that in Colorado Medicaid is not fully performing the function for which it was designed.
It will prevent legislators from enacting future 30 and out early retirement incentives.