Wisconsin: Citizens for a Sound Economy Supports the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights

Sometimes it seems like the foxes are running the henhouse—especially when it comes to state government spending. That’s why Wisconsin State Assembly Joint Resolution 55 (Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights, or TABOR) is a good idea. This bill, which is now before the Assembly and will soon be before the state Senate, would provide a mechanism to return control of our tax dollars to us, the taxpayers. It prohibits special interests from excessive government spending on their pet projects, it prohibits tax-and-spend politicians from raiding our pocket books and property, and it prohibits unions from fleecing the state.

But to win support for this critical measure, it will take an unprecedented effort – fundraising, debate, and most importantly, a groundswell of grassroots mobilization. Citizens for a Sound Economy (CSE) has been building a citizen army across the country and has beaten back tax hikes, most recently in Alabama and Oregon. In the same spirit, CSE recognizes that TABOR is good for Wisconsin taxpayers and the fight for freedom.

Wisconsin CSE intends to bring significant pressure to bear to ensure that AJR 55 becomes the newest additional to our State Constitution. We will walk from door to door, call in to every radio show, and write letter after letter to make it clear that the more than 6,000 members of Wisconsin CSE and the rest of Wisconsin deserve the protection offered by this measure and the liberty promised by our Founding Fathers.

When Colorado instituted their own Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights, the traditional forces of the liberal left resorted to scare tactics – “The sky is falling,” they cried. But no one could have predicted the profound effects it would have on the way government operated in Colorado. Since 1995, Colorado’s per capita income increased over 7 percent and its gross state product increase was the first in the nation from 1996 to 2001 at nearly 10 percent. TABOR allows budgetary growth, just not runaway spending.

Representative Frank Lasee’s proposal would similarly allow government budgets to expand – but it would be limited to the prior year’s budget plus inflation, plus population growth. This makes sense. By allowing for population growth, local governments will be able to keep their budgets in pace with the growth and inflation in their communities and continue to provide crucial services to their residents.

But the most important aspect of TABOR is the control returned to Wisconsinites. Under TABOR, any and all tax increases would go to referendum during regularly scheduled elections. Any budget surpluses are returned to the taxpayers. The principle couldn’t be clearer: Government only gets what it needs, while citizens get to keep more of the fruits of their labors. No level of government should be allowed to keep money that it doesn’t need, nor should it be allowed a line of credit on the taxpayers’ property. In Wisconsin in 2004, we’ll be fighting hard for this principle, and passing TABOR will be a key step in the fight for responsible government.

Cameron Sholty is the Wisconsin State Director for Citizens for a Sound Economy, a Washington, DC-based, nonprofit, nonpartisan education and advocacy organization dedicated to lower taxes, limited government and individual liberty.