KANSANS KNOW KANSAS BEST.

Kansas organizations and community leaders publicly oppose tax and expenditure limitations like TABOR.

Find out why.

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TABOR, which is touted as a "taxpayers' bill of rights," is the most restrictive tax and expenditure limitation (TEL) in the nation. TABOR was first implemented in 1992 by the state of Colorado. The concept requires that increases in overall tax revenue be tied to inflation and population increases rather than to the actual costs associated with maintaining our public structures in today's economy.

But, Colorado learned the hard way. After implementing TABOR, Colorado’s citizens and communities found the public structures that they depend upon in a state of decline.

• After implementing TABOR, Colorado’s roads and bridges began to show signs of deterioration. One study ranked 73 percent of the state’s roads in “poor” condition.
  

• Because of TABOR, Colorado was unable to adequately fund its education system, resulting in the lowest K-12 teacher salaries in the nation and a 21% increase to resident tuition at state colleges and universities.
  
  
• TABOR instigated public health concerns in Colorado as pregnant women lacked access to adequate prenatal care, and children failed to receive necessary immunizations. At one point after implementing TABOR, Colorado suspended its requirement that children be fully vaccinated prior to entering school because the state could not afford to buy the vaccine.
  
  
• Colorado’s business leaders, legislators, and even its Governor – some of whom previously advocated for a TABOR restriction - recognize now that TABOR limits their state’s ability to fund critical services. That’s why they voted two years ago to put a hold on TABOR.