On Nov. 7, citizens of Maine will have the opportunity to vote on the Taxpayer Bill of Rights (TABOR). One of the many reasons I strongly encourage you to vote against this measure is the negative impact TABOR will have on higher education in Maine.

I have taught at the university/college level on a full or part-time basis for more than 24 years, and I am very familiar with the importance of higher education to individuals, their communities, and the economy in general.

TABOR can interrupt the great strides we have made in recent years through our support of higher education, and it can derail future progress toward educating Maine citizens.

TABOR applies to all quasi-governmental bodies, including the University of Maine System and the Community College System. Under TABOR, spending is limited by the Consumer Price Index and an adjustment for the number of students enrolled.

One flaw in the TABOR formula is this dependence on annual student population. Because it is based on the previous year’s enrollment, the formula does not allow the state to increase funds in anticipation of projected increases in student population.

Instead, the formula only adjusts for an increase in students in the budget year following the enrollment increase, thus diluting the resources available to educate and serve students when the demand is greater.

A one-year decline in enrollment – no matter the reason – would lower the amount of money the state could approve under the funding formula for the following year, even if enrollment for that year were to increase dramatically.

Because of TABOR’s funding and spending formulas, Maine’s public universities and community colleges would not be able financially to support current levels of programs and services.

To offset inadequate levels of state support, there would be an impact on Maine’s higher education system similar to the impact that occurred in Colorado: less student aid, reductions in personnel, and inadequate investment in research and development.

TABOR’s funding formula would result in higher tuition rates and fees by dramatically shifting costs from the state to students and their families.

That was what happened in Colorado, the only state to adopt TABOR. We cannot allow that to happen here in Maine.

The operation of universities and community colleges has traditionally and historically been financed in part by the state, in recognition of the positive effect that an educated citizenry has on the economy and welfare of the state.

Virtually every report on the future of Maine’s economy cites the need to expand both the educational-attainment levels and the size of Maine’s workforce.

Many of those same reports also stress the role of Maine’s universities and community colleges as partners and resources in workforce development, economic growth initiatives, and quality of life issues.

Should a mill, a call center, or any other large employer lay off workers, the state’s ability to appropriate additional funds to help educate displaced workers would be limited without a two-thirds legislative approval, and would be further delayed by the necessity of having a statewide referendum to release the funds.

I urge Maine voters to support Maine students and the positive impact that higher education will have on Maine’s future by voting No on Question 1 on Nov. 7.

Elaine Makas, D-Lewiston, is an adjunct associate professor of psychology at L-A College.