AN OPEN LETTER TO THE COLORADO GENERAL ASSEMBLY

The editorial in the Denver Post January 25 was right on ("Rainy-day fund would have come in handy"). When given the chance under Referendum C to collect money without the constraints of TABOR, you weren't even able to set some aside for a rainy day. Ladies and gentlemen-that rainy day is here and it looks like sunset and the end of day are far in the future.

In 2006 the Rocky Mountain News reported an expected excess of 2 billion dollars over and above what Ref C was expected to generate. As late as last September (4 months ago) Governor Ritter stated, "...revenues are anticipated to collectively equal $10.5 billion for FY 2008-09." In fact, according to the Legislative Council, Referendum C surpluses have amounted to $3.595 billion in the first three years! The question begs to be asked, "Where's the money?"

Why are we scrounging for money and cutting programs and services? Why should TABOR be overturned? You haven't shown us that you can manage without TABOR even in the short term!

The following is an article I posted in YourHub recently. Between 400-500 people have read it with no negative comments or refutation of my facts. So.....

I would like to know where you stand in a return email as soon as possible in regards to retaining TABOR.

"I don't know why people keep on insisting that TABOR is the problem of Colorado's financial woes. There are many reasons for the state the State is in, but it is NOT because of TABOR.

First of all, TABOR is flexible. It allows the State to adjust revenues based on inflation and increased population. Recently the Denver Post reported that Colorado is the 5th fastest growing state in the nation with a 2 percent growth rate. Recently my husband received his statement from the Social Security Administration detailing his 5.8 percent increase in benefits for 2009. That increase is tied to expected inflation. By the way, last year we had a 2 percent population increase AND inflation. I suspect it's a trend!!

I might agree with these assertions about TABOR if it weren't for the fact that states with no spending constraints are in much worse shape than Colorado. Take California, for example, where the budget shortfall, according to U.S. News and World Report, for the next 18 months hovers around 40 billion (!!!) Yes, California has more than 7 times our population, but that 40 billion is more than 66 times bigger than Colorado's shortfall if you believe the Legislative Council's figures. That comparison is even worse if you believe our rosy-eyed Governor's predictions.

Reverting to a state with no spending constraints is clearly not the answer! I would like to suggest some changes that would make sense. First, join me in encouraging Governor Ritter to adopt a transparency act that would mandate that all government spending at all levels be published online for all to peruse. Fresh eyes and systematic evaluation would be good. A wise friend says, "It's not what you have, but what you do with what you have, that counts." The Denver Post just advocated such for State government, in fact..

Secondly, they should consider Minority Leader Mike May's suggestion to shorten the legislative session. Sending legislators back home to their real jobs and among their constituents (and not lobbyists) can't be a bad thing. What they would find are families tightening their belts and businesses looking for ways to survive in tough times. Colorado has a long history of a citizen legislature. It has served us well!"

The other side of this coin is transparency. We need to be examining every expenditure even, and especially, the entitlements looking for dollars to save.

Thank you.

Ginger Schlote