Property owners need assurance that their taxes will not surge beyond inflation limits.

Apartment renters need assurance that their rental rates will not be raised due to an increase in taxes to the property owner.

Voting for TABOR gives these assurances.

The Taxpayer Bill of Rights is Question 4 on the November ballot, a measure that would control spending at all levels of government in Maine. Any increase in spending would be regulated by a formula based on inflation and increases in population. If tax revenues were needed beyond the prescribed limits, that could be done only by a majority approval of the voters.

Town and county budgets would be required to be open for all to inspect. At all levels of government, the ultimate approval needed for any large increase in spending would be from the voters.

Those who oppose the measure don't want the citizens to control their taxes. They prefer that those decisions be made by the relatively few in the Legislature or in local government who are more vulnerable to political pressure.

Opponents have spread misinformation about the question and point to Colorado where the people decided to spend more than the limits and voted to put it on hold for a few years before resuming their disciplined state and local spending. That state flourishes.

Maine can do the same thing under TABOR. I have faith that this system works.

I encourage a "yes" vote on Question 4.

Thomas F. Shields, Auburn