For over three decades, Colorado’s constitution has shielded our state’s taxpayers from money-grubbing, big-spending politicians.
Article X, Section 20 — the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights, or “TABOR,” adopted by voters in 1992 — requires all tax hikes to be put to a popular vote and limits government growth. It has proven reasonable, flexible and ever popular.
Since TABOR became law, state and local government budgets still have been able to grow each year by up to the rates of inflation and population growth combined. Any tax revenue collected above that level, however, must be refunded to the public. If elected officials believe they need those surplus tax dollars, as well, all they have to do is ask voters’ permission. They have done so often over the years; sometimes voters have said yes and sometimes no…