Tarren Bragdon’s op-ed, “What would have happened with TABOR” (May 18), included numbers and information not supported by the facts.
Lawmakers just cut state spending by $19.5 million in fiscal year 2008, and by $98.5 million in 2009 (source, Office of Fiscal and Program Review).
LD 1 already limits state spending to a growth factor that is average real personal income growth (but no greater than 2.75 percent) plus average population growth. According to the OFPR, state spending growth is capped at 3.08 percent over the 2008-2009 biennium.
The average annual consumer price index (rate of inflation) grew by 2.8 percent in 2007, 3.2 percent in 2006, and 3.4 percent in 2005. The OFPR further shows that state appropriations are under the spending limit by $78.5 million in fiscal year 2008 and $220 million in 2009.
In response to Bragdon’s comment about Medicaid, the federal government sets income eligibility standards for that program. The 50,000 Mainers proposed to be cut from Medicaid roles are those who meet federal guidelines for poverty and disability, and include children and the elderly.
Jack Nicholas, Winthrop
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