Editor:



As a senior citizen living on a fixed income, I can understand why many
Mainers might be tempted to vote for TABOR. But I ve been around long
enough to know that if something sounds too good to be true, it
probably is.



Supporters of TABOR say that the Taxpayer Bill of Rights will cut our
taxes without cutting the important services that government provides.
I suppose that some people must really believe this, but they re just
kidding themselves. TABOR just doesn t add up!



My husband and I have been blessed by fairly good health in our
retirement, and we re grateful for that. But we don't want to live in a
state where less fortunate people can t get the health care they need
because of cuts in programs for seniors. That's what happened with
TABOR in Colorado, and it will happen in Maine if Question 1 is
approved.



Our grandchildren mean the world to us, and nothing is more important
than a good education. We have two grandsons at Mahoney Middle School
and another grandson at South Portland High School. It breaks my heart
to think about how their educations would suffer if there were budget
cuts at our public schools. That s what happened with TABOR in
Colorado, and it is sure to happen here if Question 1 is approved.



Of course, none of that matters if we don t feel safe. If our
firefighters and police officers are left shorthanded because of TABOR
budget cuts, a few extra dollars in my wallet aren t worth the paper
they re printed on. Public safety suffered after TABOR passed in
Colorado, and public safety will suffer in Maine if Question 1 is
approved.



TABOR will hurt Maine if it passes. Maybe not right away, but soon
enough, and it will hurt us and our grandchildren for years to come. I
just hope that people think carefully before they vote. If they do, I m
confident that they will vote No on Question 1.



Martha Gorman

South Portland