Well now that we have a more up to date version of the Taxpayer Bill of Rights, will the citizens of Maine decide whether or not it is right for them? As I have stated before, I supported the Taxpayer Bill of Rights publicly as a Selectman for Norridgewock. At the municipal level and the state level, I looked at it as a way to give the voters a voice about their taxes. The newer version simply does that as well with a few exceptions. As for me and whether or not I will support it again, I WILL as long as it gives the voters of Maine a way to say "NO" to increasing government spending (and it does) and it has to include a way allow the "majority" of voters a way to win as well. The issue with the previous version would have forced a two thirds majority vote at the town council/town meting AND voter approval at the next election. At that rate, a two thirds vote at the town meeting would seem unlikely if there are any major issues with items in the budget. Nonetheless, this version does "reward" so to speak, the majority.
Here is another link to an article about it as well: http://waldo.villagesoup.com/Government/story.cfm?storyID=98576
All I ask is to give this a chance and talk with the major players that will be endorsing this proposal, as I will be one. The Maine Heritage Policy Center, which drafted this version of the Taxpayer Bill of Rights 2, is a good organization with loads of economically and fiscal experience in dealing with the numbers on all levels of state government. Bill Becker, the President and Chief Executive Officer of MHPC is a person whom I've had the pleasure and opportunity to deal with on a few occasions regarding fiscally conservative ideas at the county level as well as the first Taxpayer Bill of Rights. For more information on the Maine Heritage Policy Center, who drafted the lasted version of the Taxpayer Bill of Rights, go to www.mainepolicy.org
When I think of the line "Taxpayer Bill of Rights", the first words that come to my head are: "We The People....". Remember, this proposal is about us, the Maine Taxpayer. It gives us a voice in our government for the sole purpose of keeping the elected officials in check. Every two years we are asked to give individuals a chance to make a difference in Augusta and every two years we get disappointed. This time we are asking you to be a part of a team that will give your voice a chance at all levels of government. Remember how many times you have gone to the voting booth and read a question something like: "Do you favor a bond package worth...." You do have the right to say NO to them. It's true, that will not increase your debt if you say NO to a bond package. Why do you ask? The state pays back the bonds and who is the STATE? We are. Having said that, use your voice to be heard at all levels of government. If you follow the opposition of this proposal, you will soon discover the reason they are against it, they are funded by taxpayer money. They do not want their funding determined by the average voter. Groups like the MMA, MEA and Maine State Chambers of Commerce all get their funding from the taxpayer. And, they will vote against you so they can secure their funding. They do not want you to have a voice in budget spending. Now you have the nuts and bolts of what is at stake here. Do you want a say where your money goes or do you want the same high taxes we have experienced for the last 30 plus years? You decide. I know what I'm going to do.
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