TOP TEN THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT TABOR

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.nebraskansforthegoodlife.com/

TOP TEN THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT TABOR and Nebraska’s “Stop Over Spending” (SOS) Proposal


Nebraskan voters are currently being asked to sign an initiative petition called Stop Over Spending (SOS), which would put a rigid spending formula into the state constitution. This proposal contains the same core provisions as Colorado’s so-called “Taxpayer Bill of Rights” (TABOR) that was adopted in that state in 1992.



1. TABOR is a proven failure: TABOR is a proven failure in the only state where it exists. Colorado’s TABOR has resulted in a severe decline in that state’s economic development, education system, industrial infrastructure and health care. In November 2005, Coloradoans frustrated with their deteriorating public services successfully voted to suspend TABOR. The charge to do so was led by a broad-based coalition of Republicans, Democrats, business leaders, teachers, health care providers, and firefighters.



2. SOS would hurt our schools: SOS would lead to decreased funding for education. TABOR dropped Colorado from 35th to 49th in the nation for K-12 school funding. For elementary, middle and high schools, this would mean less money for teachers, building construction and basic programming— resulting in larger class sizes and increased costs for parents.



The higher education system would also face budget cuts. In Colorado, higher education funding per resident student fell by 31 percent under TABOR. In order to make up for the loss of state money, students at the University of Nebraska, Nebraska State Colleges and Community Colleges would likely face higher tuition, denying many students an opportunity for higher education.



3. SOS would hurt our health: SOS would mean less funding for health services, resulting in more Nebraskans without health insurance or adequate health care. Under TABOR in Colorado, the share of uninsured low-income children doubled, while it was falling nationally. Colorado now ranks 50th in the nation on this measure. Also, the percentage of pregnant women receiving adequate access to prenatal care declined from 23rd to 48th in the nation.



4. SOS would hurt our seniors: Nebraska’s seniors depend on many public services, like home health care and Meals on Wheels that would be cutback by SOS. SOS would also affect Medicaid, which could result in decreased access to nursing homes and affordable prescription drugs.



SOS could also mean a reduction or elimination in the state’s homestead exemption, which provides property tax relief to people over 65. Under TABOR, Colorado had to suspend their homestead exemption, which provided relief to over 100,000 seniors.



5. SOS would hurt our economic development: SOS would cripple the very services businesses care about— transportation, infrastructure and quality higher education— making it harder for our state to attract new businesses and jobs.



6. SOS would hurt our pocketbooks: Right now 1/3 of all state expenditures goes to local governments; SOS would cause this state aid to decrease. In order to make up for the shortfall, localities would have to raise property taxes, increase fees or sharply cut services.



7. SOS would hurt our public safety: As local aid decreases because of SOS, so would funding for local police, fire chiefs and emergency response teams. This could reduce their capacity to respond to emergencies.



8. SOS would hurt our agriculture industry: SOS would mean less funding to protect the health of livestock, to inspect food, to test samples, and to carry out agricultural research.



9. SOS would hurt our ability to respond to emergencies : When Nebraska is hit by tornadoes, floods, ice storms, and other emergencies, SOS would make it difficult for the government to step in and help people get through the tough times.



10. SOS would hurt our judicial system: SOS invites lawsuits to be filed against the state. These cases would drive up state costs and tie up the courts. In the first four years after TABOR’s adoption, over 40 lawsuits were filed, many of which took years to resolve.



BOTTOM LINE: SOS WOULD HURT NEBRASKA

[NEDem]

1. I just got back from the State Fair

The pro-sos group was setup right next to Heineman's booth early in the day. By mid afternoon they were completely gone, no table even in the spot.

There were also the fairtax wingers across from them. Loonies everywhere.

I did meet legislative candidate Bill Avery again, he seems real genuine and will make a wonderful replacement for the outgoing Chris Beutler.

[Kiouni]

2. I saw a fluff

film by the repbs against tabor but suprisingly it was convincing and then i read this too. Just out of curiosity what are the pro-tabor guys running on?

[BensMom]

3. I'm in..

I put out my yard sign yesterday.
And the campaign left me with door hangers for my neighborhood.

The yard sign says "NO 423" with a scull and crossbones.
One neighbor asked me what it meant. Dialog is good.

The groups on board to stop 423 is impressive!

[RBInMaine]

4. I'm From Maine and They're Pulling This Crap Up Here Too

I'm from Maine and we have this awful TABOR crap on the ballot up here too (as does Oregon - but other states like Montana kept it off the ballot, in some cases because the paid TABORite signature gatherers used fraudulent tactics, so their ballot petitions were ruled ILLEGAL!). The main national pro-TABORites (who like to hide behind behind local, paid front-men and women) are Grover Norquist, Howard Rich, and Rick Berman, all of whom are ultra-wealthy
ultra-conservatives who are deceptively crafting and pushing this TABOR crap (and other right-wing ballot measures) all around the country to advance their ultra-right-wing agenda to consolidate power and money into the hands of the few at the expense of the many. They use their
bought-and-paid-for front groups like "Americans For Limited Government" to push this crap. They refuse interviews, hide the money trail, and refuse to participate in debates. But make no mistake, THEY are the ones behind this.

I have been very active in the NO ON TABOR campaign in Maine. Looks like we have a good chance to beat it. PLEASE HELP TO DEFEAT TABOR IN NEBRASKA! DON'T LET THE LIKES OF HOWIE RICH, RICK BERMAN, AND GROVER NORQUIST SET NEBRASKA'S FISCAL POLICY!! THANKS!!!