Because of TABOR, taxpayers do not worry about politicians recklessly spending surplus revenues during bull markets. Under a formula that accounts for population growth and inflation, state and local governments must return to individual taxpayers a significant portion of surplus revenues. Those returns circulate throughout the economy, improving the lives of those who wait tables, cut hair, fix cars, or buy and sell countless varieties of services and goods.

TABOR’s check on government taxing and spending protects the governed from politicians who too often forget who they work for and answer to. Politicians tell us they cannot afford roads, but can afford $150 million to build fancy offices for transportation executives. They cannot pay teachers what they deserve, but they can buy votes with a poorly managed Medicaid free for all. That type of thing.

HB 1257, if passed and signed into law, would put a proposal on the statewide ballot asking voters to let politicians keep TABOR refunds in perpetuity. The retained refunds, they tell us, would fund “schools, higher education, and roads, bridges, and transit.”

Don’t fall for this. Politicians have neglected all of the above, despite record-breaking revenues, with the sole intent of asking taxpayers to give them more money.

State politicians have not earned your trust, so do not give them the money protected for you by the state Constitution. Don’t reward dysfunction. Tell them “no” on HB 1257. When they ignore that advice, vote “no” on the ballot.