America's next tax revolt

The Wall Street Journal reports that twenty states are working to enact Taxpayer Bill of Rights (TABOR) Laws; designed to cap runaway state and local spending.  The Journal called it “America’s Next Tax Revolt”. The national model enacted in Colorado prohibits state spending from increasing faster than inflation plus the growth of population.  The Journal reports that since inception, Coloradoans have received tax refunds in the mail exceeding $3.2 Billion dollars or about $3000 per family. Over the period state spending has grown more slowly and personal income grown faster than virtually any other state.

Five years ago 2500 Bonita Springs voters signed petitions to have a Taxpayer Bill of Rights amendment placed in the Bonita City Charter. Unfortunately, your city government refused to put it on the ballot and tied it up in court until after the election.  We are currently in the process of making 10 amendments to our city charter but spending limitations will not be one of them because your city council decided  not to let you vote on the spending limitations.

 Proposition #13 halted the aggressive encroachment of government more than 25 years ago. However, even after adjusting for inflation, most state and local tax collections are three times larger today than they were in 1980.

The Wall Street Journal says that only hard and fast constitutional limits can reign in the powerful spending interest that live off our government.  The Taxpayer Bill of Rights is a long overdue addition to state and local constitutions.

If you want to put spending limitations on the ballot in Bonita Springs or Lee County start a petition drive in your neighborhood.