I must address the fears expressed in Jonathon Albrecht’s letter of July 2. The fears are either a result of the lies and scare tactics being spread by special interest groups, or Albrecht’s ignorance of the Taxpayer Bill of Rights.

His assertion that the school budget would be reduced from $5 million to $4.85 million if the school enrollment drops by 50 students is incorrect. TABOR does not cut spending. It allows spending to increase by a reasonable amount according to population growth plus rate of inflation, or student enrollment plus inflation rate, for educational funding.

Since TABOR is based on a flat-funding formula, the amount of money for funding will not fall below the level of the previous budget. If enrollment drops by 50 students, the budget would still remain at $5 million – the same amount for less students. If, by chance, the school board and town officials decide that for whatever reason they need more taxpayer money, they can make their case and have the voters decide if more money is warranted.

Colorado is a prime example of that. By using the Taxpayer Bill of Rights, they returned some of their tax rebates back to the state.

TABOR simply allows the taxpayers of Maine to have a voice in the spending of their money. What is more democratic than that?

Steve Pond, Mt.Vernon