TABOR

The Tax Payers Bill of Rights, also known as TABOR, caused a fiscal crisis in the State of Colorado. This Constitutional Amendment limits state spending to the rate of inflation and population growth. While this sounds like a good idea, state spending isn’t like household spending. Programs like healthcare and higher education have costs that increase at a rate much greater than inflation.

In Colorado, this amendment has led to drastic cuts in higher education spending, Medicaid and road improvements.

Well, since this was such a shining success in Colorado, the Missouri House is considering passing a similar provision. Nothing is more satisfying to a Republican Majority than starving State Government.

The Missouri House is doing one better, though, than even Colorado. When Colorado passed TABOR, they had fairly high state spending per capita. Basing a TABOR on Missouri’s current General Revenue (because the amendment does not account for additional Federal funds) is complete lunacy.

The House Budget Committee passed TABOR, this year HJR 23, with a vote of 16-13. At least one Republican member, Representative Mark Bruns, seemed ashamed of his vote. He came in at the last minute and whispered his “aye” to the committee aide. No doubt it is difficult for the person who represents Jefferson City, and therefore many state employees to vote to pass a Constitutional Amendment that could destroy his constituents' livelihoods.