I believe the best proposal that will have the greatest effect on the run-away spending of government at all levels in Maine is the Taxpayer Bill of Rights (TABOR).
The petitions for placing TABOR on the ballot as a referendum in November, 2006, have been submitted to the Secretary of State for approval. Already officials at all levels of government in Maine are screaming foul play, the sky is falling and saying it will be the end of all services in our towns.
So what is TABOR? What’s all the fuss about?
The Taxpayer Bill of Rights is a citizens initiative to limit the increase in spending at all levels of Maine government including municipalities, schools, counties and state levels. The increase in spending would be limited to the rate of inflation plus a figure that allows for population growth in a community such as Windham. In the event that the amount of taxes collected exceeds the amount allowed by TABOR, most of the excess funds must be returned to the taxpayers. The remaining balance would go into a budget stabilization fund which forces government to establish a rainy day fund to help get through difficult financial periods. TABOR also allows a governing body to exceed the limit on spending by requiring a two-thirds vote of that governing body and a majority vote by the voters.
Why do we need TABOR? Let’s take the words of the Beatles song, “Taxman:” “There’s one for you, 19 for me/’Cause I’m the taxman/Yeah, I’m the taxman.”
It is a known fact that Maine has the highest tax burden per capita of all 50 states while our income level and business climate rank near the bottom of the totem pole. We also know that our elected officials have increased spending faster than increases in our paychecks which results in government taking more while we get less.
Look at the incomes of those on Social Security which have increased around 2 percent while the increase in spending in a town like Windham increased nearly 10 percent. We are being forced on a budget while our government grows fat. To be plain and simple, it is now time to put the officials of our towns and state on a diet.
What can you do to help? Quite simply, get involved. Government works best when its owners take stock of it rather than it running us to the poor house. Join others who are helping to spread the word about TABOR which in Maine is being led by Mary Adams of Garland and her band of Freedom Fighters. Her Web site is www.taxpayerbillofrights.com.
Another grassroots organization is the Citizens Alliance of Maine (CAM) which is a statewide network with representatives in many Maine communities and neighborhoods. Its mission is to educate voters involving taxation and to hold public officials accountable for spending money. Being a member of CAM is a state of mind and heart because it has no dues or membership applications. One can contact Jack Wibby in Gray at 657-7737 or myself at 893-1589.
I certainly can state that being a member of the Citizens Alliance of Maine has been a rewarding experience for me. I sincerely hope that citizens from all over the Lake Region become involved as all one has to do is look at the proposed increases in the property assessments in Raymond and remember, Windham is doing the same.
“Lead me, follow me, or get out of my way.” General George S. Patton
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