In the efforts to provide for public safety, Maine’s first responders are always evolving to the threats facing our communities. For those of us in law enforcement, it’s not the crime itself that changes; it’s the person and the way he or she perpetrates the crime that changes with the times.

Today, it is as likely that we will be robbed at the end of an Internet connection rather than with a weapon, burglarized for our personal information rather than our TV, or defrauded by a junk stock or mortgage sold “legitimately” rather than by the stereotypical con-man.

Today, we are debating and preparing to vote on a tax policy in TABOR II — an overly restrictive and damaging idea defeated by a majority of Maine voters in 2006 as much as it was in 2004. The difference today is that we could not be in a worse situation as it relates to the state’s economy, employment and our way of life than in 2004 or 2006. Just as savvy criminals change to meet the times, so has the effort to bring TABOR to Maine. The old adage is true: “Everything old is new again.”

The voting public has the rare opportunity to not be those who are doomed to repeat history. We need only look to Colorado and the citizens who have suffered under TABOR for the past 15 years — a state that enacted TABOR at the height of its economic, employment and educational achievements, only to fall to last place in the country in most categories. TABOR in Colorado forced state and municipal officials to make devastating decisions as to what services and infrastructure would survive, rather than what was needed to thrive. They have realized the effects of a policy like TABOR, and in no uncertain terms have warned residents here against it.

In Maine, it is not hard to see the effects of the national economic downturn and subsequent recession. Hardworking Mainers are losing their jobs, their homes, their businesses and the services once provided by their municipalities. At a time when our state, our municipalities and our citizens are at their most vulnerable, why would the public embark on the same path as Colorado? Taxpayers should demand that federal, state and local governments act responsibly when it comes to taxes and spending. But to do so through enacting bad policy such as TABOR, and during a time when Maine’s tax revenues are declining at historic rates, makes TABOR the medicine that kills the cure. It is the poison pill, plain and simple.

Regardless of the results on Nov. 3, Maine’s first responders will continue to proudly protect Maine’s communities. The reality however, is that the drastic cuts and limits forced by TABOR would have a direct effect on the way and the priority with which all municipal services are delivered.

I hope the public will join with me by voting “no” on Question 4. It was irresponsible in 2004, crippling in 2006 and irresponsible in 2009.

Paul D. Gaspar

Executive Director

Maine Association of Police