News

Former TABOR Opponents Now Back Question 4

SOUTH PORTLAND - The YES On 4 | TABOR NOW campaign held a press conference in South Portland today to introduce the "Coalition for Change - YES on 4." At the event, statements by the Honorable Karl Turner, former state senator from Cumberland, and Charles "Chip" Morrison, President of the Androscoggin Chamber of Commerce, showcased why former opponents of the Taxpayer Bill of Rights now support Question 4.

Turner explained three reasons why he has reversed his position in 2006 to now support Question 4.  Unlike the 2006 TABOR, Turner noted, Question 4 does not require a supermajority vote of a governing body to propose extra spending.  Instead, only a simple majority is required to put such proposals out to the voters.  He also confirmed Question 4 will be less of a burden to municipalities, and that, unlike the 2006 version, Question 4 removes the so-called ratchet effect, ensuring government will never have to spend less than it did during the previous year's budget cycle.

Turner also took issue with opponents' myth that Question 4 impacts education funding.

"There is no ratchet down provision in the current TABOR offering before the voters, although the opponents like to categorize it as having a ratchet provision," Turner said.  "Those who tell you that this version of TABOR is somehow going to affect schools or school funding are just flat out wrong.  They're using the script from three years ago."

Turner went on to say, "There's an old adage that government's use of our funds should grow no faster than our pocketbooks.  This [Question 4] I think will allow that to happen.  I am casting my vote in favor of TABOR 2."
 
Morrison, who was unable to attend due to a last minute scheduling conflict, sent a written statement highlighting the reasons why the Androscoggin County Chamber of Commerce, and the County's business community, now supports Question 4.  

"Quite simply, the Androscoggin County Chamber of Commerce has reversed its position because it is time for a change," Morrison wrote.  "Question 4 will create those changes that will limit increases in government spending so that spending will remain in line with our ability to pay.  Question 4 will ensure that government's priorities are the same as those of the taxpayers of Maine."
 
Tarren Bragdon, CEO of The Maine Heritage Policy Center, the group that wrote Question 4, also highlighted the key differences between the Question 4 measure and the 2006 TABOR proposal. "Question 4 on this year's ballot has changed from the TABOR of 2006 in several key ways. Despite what opponents of spending controls would have us believe, education spending is not included anywhere in Question 4."

Mr. Bragdon also noted that Question 4 only requires a majority vote of a governing body to send to the voters a request for spending beyond the set limit, or for new tax increases. In 2006, TABOR required a supermajority, or two-thirds of the governing body. Mr. Bragdon also pointed out the upward change in poll numbers from 2006 to today. "At this time during the 2006 campaign, TABOR faced a steep deficit in the polls. Today, despite being outspent 12 to 1, we stand solid with 47 percent of Maine voters supporting Question 4, while only 45 percent oppose the measure." 

The State Chairman of the YES on 4 campaign, David Crocker, highlighted the positive change the state will see following the passage of Question 4 on November 3rd. "It's time to change the overspending habits of government. Since they won't make those changes themselves, we will have Question 4 control spending increases for them. At long last, Maine voters will have the ability to weigh in on how their hard-earned tax dollars are being spent."
 
Question 4 on the November 3 ballot asks: "Do you want to change the existing formulas that limit state and local government spending and require voter approval by referendum for spending over those limits and for increases in state taxes?"

CONTACT

David Crocker, Chairman

YES On 4 | TABOR NOW

david@tabornow.com