TABOR: Taxpayer's Bill of Rights Overview
TABOR
Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights
Candidates Briefing
Candidates Briefing
Independence Institute
Independence Institute
Denver, CO
Denver, CO
May 25, 2016
May 25, 2016
Paul T. Prentice, Ph.D.
Paul T. Prentice, Ph.D.
pprentice@coloradotech.edupprentice@coloradotech.edu
"Rebellion to Tyrants is
Obedience to God“
Great Seal Of The United
States – original 1776 motto
by Thomas Jefferson, Ben
Franklin, and John Adams
Public Tyranny
“The two enemies of the people are
criminals and government, so let us tie
the second down with the chains of the
Constitution so the second will not become
the legalized version of the first.” --
Unknown (misattributed to Thomas
Jefferson)
Burden of Government
“To secure these rights, government is
instituted among men.”
– Thomas
Jefferson (restating John Locke)
Government, at its very, very best, has
one purpose: to help protect us in our
natural freedoms -- freedom of mind,
freedom of speech, freedom to keep the
fruits of our own labor, freedom to
associate with whom we choose. It can do
no more. Should it try, should it attempt
to give to some what others have created,
it must betray its very purpose: helping to
protect us in our natural freedoms. --
Thomas Krannawitter
Burden of Government (cont’)
Government has no (preexisting) money.
Before it can spend $1 more, it must take
$1 from the private sector by taxes or
debt (promise to tax in the future).
Unlike the federal government, state
governments cannot print money.
“The real burden of government is
spending.” –
Milton Friedman
“It’s the Spending, Stupid”
Independence
Institute bumper sticker
TABOR
During the 1980s, Colorado State and Local
During the 1980s, Colorado State and Local
spending increased from 14% of Gross State
spending increased from 14% of Gross State
Product, to 18%.
Product, to 18%.
This 30% increase in the burden of government
This 30% increase in the burden of government
left fewer resources in the hands of the people.
left fewer resources in the hands of the people.
In 1992, the people passed the Taxpayer’s Bill
In 1992, the people passed the Taxpayer’s Bill
of Rights as a constitutional amendment
of Rights as a constitutional amendment
(Article X, Section 20).
(Article X, Section 20).
This gave the people the right to (1) Set a limit
This gave the people the right to (1) Set a limit
on growth of overall spending, and (2) Allow
on growth of overall spending, and (2) Allow
them to vote if they wanted more spending.
them to vote if they wanted more spending.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FqhtQMEY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FqhtQMEY
6Qw
6Qw
TABOR “Timeout”
Passed in 2005
The five-year 2006-2010 TABOR Timeout due
to Referendum C, allowed CO State and Local
spending to rise back to a new record of 19%
of Gross State Product by 2010.
This has since declined to about 17%, but is
still nearly as high as pre-TABOR spending in
the 1980s.
If CO spending can grow this much with
TABOR, imagine what would happen without it!
If we want a strong economy, and if we wish to
remain a free people, we must fight to retain
and strengthen the Taxpayers’ Bill of Rights.
You cannot have a controlled
economy, and maintain a free
society
Due to the TABOR timeout, CO government
Due to the TABOR timeout, CO government
spending is now $3.5 billion per year higher
spending is now $3.5 billion per year higher
than it would have been.
than it would have been.
That is $3.5 billion less for the people to
That is $3.5 billion less for the people to
spend on their own hopes and dreams.
spend on their own hopes and dreams.
“Man is not free unless government is
“Man is not free unless government is
limited… As government expands, liberty
limited… As government expands, liberty
contracts.” – Ronald Reagan
contracts.” – Ronald Reagan
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dC3x7fv
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dC3x7fv
UGwo
UGwo
Reason v. Emotion
The Taxpayer's Bill of Rights (TABOR) is a crucial constitutional amendment in Colorado that limits government spending and empowers citizens to vote on expenditure increases. TABOR aims to secure individual freedoms and prevent excessive government control through financial accountability. This briefing explores the history, impact, and significance of TABOR, shedding light on its role in preserving economic liberty and maintaining the balance between government power and personal rights.
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Presentation Transcript
TABOR Taxpayer s Bill of Rights Candidates Briefing Independence Institute Denver, CO May 25, 2016 Paul T. Prentice, Ph.D. pprentice@coloradotech.edu
"Rebellion to Tyrants is Obedience to God Great Seal Of The United States original 1776 motto by Thomas Jefferson, Ben Franklin, and John Adams
Public Tyranny The two enemies of the people are criminals and government, so let us tie the second down with the chains of the Constitution so the second will not become the legalized version of the first. -- Unknown (misattributed to Thomas Jefferson)
Burden of Government To secure these rights, government is instituted among men. Thomas Jefferson (restating John Locke) Government, at its very, very best, has one purpose: to help protect us in our natural freedoms -- freedom of mind, freedom of speech, freedom to keep the fruits of our own labor, freedom to associate with whom we choose. It can do no more. Should it try, should it attempt to give to some what others have created, it must betray its very purpose: helping to protect us in our natural freedoms. -- Thomas Krannawitter
Burden of Government (cont) Government has no (preexisting) money. Before it can spend $1 more, it must take $1 from the private sector by taxes or debt (promise to tax in the future). Unlike the federal government, state governments cannot print money. The real burden of government is spending. Milton Friedman It s the Spending, Stupid Independence Institute bumper sticker
TABOR During the 1980s, Colorado State and Local spending increased from 14% of Gross State Product, to 18%. This 30% increase in the burden of government left fewer resources in the hands of the people. In 1992, the people passed the Taxpayer s Bill of Rights as a constitutional amendment (Article X, Section 20). This gave the people the right to (1) Set a limit on growth of overall spending, and (2) Allow them to vote if they wanted more spending. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FqhtQMEY 6Qw
TABOR Timeout Passed in 2005 The five-year 2006-2010 TABOR Timeout due to Referendum C, allowed CO State and Local spending to rise back to a new record of 19% of Gross State Product by 2010. This has since declined to about 17%, but is still nearly as high as pre-TABOR spending in the 1980s. If CO spending can grow this much with TABOR, imagine what would happen without it! If we want a strong economy, and if we wish to remain a free people, we must fight to retain and strengthen the Taxpayers Bill of Rights.
You cannot have a controlled economy, and maintain a free society Due to the TABOR timeout, CO government spending is now $3.5 billion per year higher than it would have been. That is $3.5 billion less for the people to spend on their own hopes and dreams. Man is not free unless government is limited As government expands, liberty contracts. Ronald Reagan https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dC3x7fv UGwo
