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	Why it is Needed! Support Tabor

The time has come for a Kansas Taxpayers Bill of Rights. The classic struggle of the people against the political class is found throughout history and folklore. King John and his tax collectors so impoverished the people through taxes that Robin Hood rose up in rebellion against the government. There are tales in every country of the oppression of excessive government.

By its very nature, government grows. Over the last 30 years government has grown at nearly double the rate of the growth of wages of Kansans.

The political class, motivated by personal power, fear of special interests, or sometimes misplaced idealism continues to spend the state into bankruptcy. We are losing businesses and people due to excessive government spending.

Trust is a word of respect. If I trust you, I respect you. I regard you as an equal. I do not think I know better than you what is best for you. I believe government was created for the people, and to serve the people. To paraphrase President Abraham Lincoln, government needs to be of, by and for the people. Government needs to be the servant of the people and not the master of the people.

Others do not trust the people to know what is good for them. That is why they want mandatory this, and goverment controlled that. That is why they want to take as much tax money out of your pocket as they can.

Our country was founded on freedom from King Georges oppressive government.

Governments primary function is to protect its citizens from oppressors and not be the oppressor. Our forefathers structured our government so that the ideals of freedom and liberty would be our guide.

In many areas, government does good, but government must live within its means, just as responsible Kansas families do.

These are the reasons why I am introducing the Kansas Taxpayers Bill of Rights.

There are four main components of this amendment:

KANSAS TAXPAYERS BILL OF RIGHTS (TABOR)

1. TABOR will limit state and local government spending growth so that it does not exceed the rate of inflation, as adjusted for population changes UNLESS the voters of Kansas have approved such action;
   
2. TABOR will require Kansas voters to approve tax and fee increases;
   
3. TABOR establishes a 3% emergency reserve fund and up to a 10% budget stabilization reserve fund;
   
4. TABOR states that excess revenues must be returned to the taxpayers that paid them, in the form of a check.

The time has come for Kansans to keep more of their hard earned money. The time has come for the Kansas Taxpayers Bill of Rights.

I urge Kansans to support this Amendment and vote only for those politicians who put you first and support your Taxpayers Bill of Rights.

This Constitutional Amendment is the Citizens of Kansas Amendment.

TABOR Facts:

• Colorados success. Colorado had the highest rate of economic growth in the nation from 1990 - 2002. Their success was largely due to its TABOR Amendment that passed in 1992.
  
• Colorado was one of only five states without a budget deficit for Fiscal Year 2002.
  
• Overall, between 1997 and 2002, Colorado has reduced taxes more than any other state, issuing annual tax rebates that have totaled more than $3.2 billion.
  
• Between 1995 and 2000 Colorado ranks first among all states in gross state product growth and second in personal income growth.
  
• South Carolina, which has enacted TABOR, is repealing its income tax over the next 15 years due to limited government growth and positive economic growth.
  
• Debt/Revenue limits do not apply to enterprises (government owned businesses that can issue their own revenue bonds and have government bonds and have a government subsidy under 10%). The various authorities are not exempted.
  
• Amendment would be placed on the November 2004, general election ballot. If approved, the amendment would be effective for the state Fiscal Year 2006 and local units of government Current Year 2006 budgets.
  
• If state government spending had for the last ten years been limited to the rate of inflation, the State of Kansas all funds budget for Fiscal Year 2004 would be $2.6 billion less.
  
• Over the past ten years, the State of Kansas budget from all funds has increased over 50%.
  
• The state provisions of this constitutional amendment will apply to all state funds, unless limited by federal law or conditions, bonded indebtedness, public employee retirement funds or other trust funds.
  
• Under the terms of this amendment, the Kansas Legislature could not impose on local units of government any part of the costs of a new program or service, or an increase in an existing program or service, unless the state makes an appropriation to pay for those costs. In other words, no unfunded mandates from the state to the local governments.
  
• The Kansas Legislature could not exceed a revenue limitation imposed by TABOR. The Legislature could not impose new taxes, increase tax rates, extend any tax that might be expiring or make tax changes causing a net tax revenue gain unless the voters of Kansas approve it.

IN CLOSING:

It is important that you contact your legislator today and let them know that you can be trusted and would like the opportunity to vote on tax increases and see government live within its means. So call, write or email your legislator today and ask that they support this Citizens Amendment known as the Taxpayers Bill of Rights.