Sides Forming For Fight Over TABOR

PORTLAND (NEWS CENTER) -- While November's elections are still nearly two months away, Mainer's are organizing their efforts to educate voters about the tax payer bill of rights, or TABOR. A diverse group of business people, educators and first responders gathered on the steps of Portland's City Hall to announce their opposition to TABOR. Maine voters defeated a similar citizens initiative in 2006.

"It wasn't right then, it's not right now," exclaimed Adam D. Lee, president of Lee Auto Malls. "I want to pay lower taxes. I want our car dealerships to pay lower taxes and I am guessing, everyone of you wants to pay lower taxes, but I also want our schools to be funded and our basic services like police and fire departments to be funded and more importantly, I want our elected officials to have the ability to do their jobs."

Lee was joined by other Mainers opposed to TABOR in announcing the formation of Citizens Unified for Maine's Future. "Accountability? Yes. Common sense cost savings? Yes. Draconian legislation in the name of TABOR? No," said Winston Mcgill, a Portland Fire Fighter who says public services have already endured deep cuts do to the current economic crisis.

"What TABOR does is it allows people to decide," said Martin Sheehan of the Maine Heritage Policy Center. "It let's voters decide here is what we can spend money on. What it charges the leaders and politicians with it puts them in charge of controlling where the money goes."

Sheehan says the close vote in 2006 shows Mainer's are fed up with increased spending by the state. He says the governor and legislature promised to control spending after the vote. "Since TABOR in 2006, when TABOR didn't pass, the legislature has passed $300 million in new taxes," said Sheehan. "I know how much my budget has changed in the last few years, but the state budget keeps going up and up and up and the money has to come from somewhere and it is out of my pocket."

If you would like more information about Citizens Unified for Maine's Future, a group opposed to TABOR, you can find their website by clicking here.

If you would like more information on the Maine Heritage Policy Center, a group in favor of TABOR, you can find their website by clicking here.

You can also read this fall's ballot questions in full by clicking here. The order the ballot questions will appear on the November's ballot can be found by clicking here.