TABOR seeks to establish financial accountability for local and state government. That’s a good intention, but the TABOR tool for doing so is badly flawed. TABOR would impose an across-the-board formula to determine taxes though a one-size-fits-all approach to governing.

Maine citizens don’t need such a formula to keep city councils and towns financially accountable. We have town meetings to do that. We have open sessions with city council members to do that. We can elect people who will do that (and not elect those who won’t). The way to keep government responsive and accountable is to be involved in government, not through passing a formula that is arbitrary and unresponsive to local needs.

Do we need government to be financially accountable and in-touch with local realities? Yes. Is TABOR the way to get that? No. Vote against TABOR.

William Cutler, Auburn