Montana stands at a crossroads. Legislators and citizens need to examine carefully the current fiscal situation and decide if we really want to continue the trends of the last few years. The Montana Policy Institute (MPI) believes we need a new plan to address a mounting problem – uncontrolled government growth. Drawing upon recent research, looking at examples from other Western states, and appealing to Montanans' good sense, we're proposing a Taxpayer's Bill of Rights (TABOR) to rein in this government growth and give Montanans a voice in how their hard earned money is spent.

The idea is not new. As early as 1973, Californians voted on Proposition 1, a tax and expenditure limitation, or TEL. They voted it down then, but 31 TELs have become law across the nation since. Montana law currently includes statutory limitations on government growth, but this measure, passed in 198,1 has been largely ineffective. Colorado has perhaps the best known measure, but even it has had some growing pains. Our TABOR proposal includes measures to correct deficiencies found with Colorado's law, as well other improvements.

A Taxpayer's Bill of Rights amendment for Montana would create the mechanism to

1) limit the growth in state spending to the growth of population plus inflation, 2) ensure surplus revenue above this amount is invested in emergency and budget stabilization funds or returned to taxpayers, and 3) require voter approval for tax increases or any weakening of the amendment limits. It would decouple the state's tax and spending capacity from the business cycle, and prevent government from increasing its already large share in the economy.

Why is this necessary?

Governments typically increase spending as revenues rise independent of other considerations, such as the appropriateness or sustainability of programs that receive this increased spending. The problem arises when income growth or other revenue sources drop. Governments seldom cut spending to offset decreased revenues during economic downturns. Rather than prioritizing spending to fit existing revenues, either taxes are raised or deficits are created to avoid cuts or even maintain growth. This results in government growing faster than the private sector and taking an increasing portion of the economic pie.

Montana is particularly susceptible to this phenomenon thanks to clever word play. Many citizens believe that the legislature is acting very responsibly, and have seen the charts to prove it. What they see however, is "on budget" spending. Excessive spending each year is hidden in other "off budget" programs, that is, spending that doesn't appear as a budget line but occurs nonetheless. Montanans deserve to be informed about all spending the legislature authorizes.

The following charts show just how much this has been happening.

A tertiary reading indicates that in most years state government has lived well within its means. Recent surpluses have garnered much attention and even resulted in taxpayer rebates. But this chart does not tell the whole story, and in fact hides a looming structural deficit in the state's revenues and expenditures that will come home to roost when revenues stall..

The following chart demonstrates, when "off budget" expenditures are included, we see an entirely different picture. It also shows that this is a relatively new phenomenon.

The sharp rise in "off budget" funding goes to a variety of programs, many of them worthwhile. But this type of fiscal obfuscation taints the process and hides the true cost of

government. Creating a smoke-screen for additional spending also prevents the citizens of the state from weighing in on where and how money is being spent. Such disingenuous actions strike at the very heart of an open, democratic society.

A TABOR amendment to Montana's constitution is essential to reform this process. It will limit state government spending growth to open and sustainable levels. This will lead to a careful, reasoned analysis of program priorities. Legislators and programs will be required to demonstrate continued value for continued spending to be justified. Expenditures beyond TABOR limits would have to go before voters. This newfound accountability will open the door to further reforms. The legislature and the public will have a model to evaluate where their money is going and how effectively it is being spent.

How Would a TABOR Amendment work in Montana?

Our TABOR proposal for Montana contains these attributes:

1. It has teeth: By changing the constitutional rather than relying on easily sidestepped statutory tax and spending limits.
2. It is transparent: By requiring voter approval for any increase in taxes or debt.
3. It contains government growth: By limiting government spending growth to the sum of inflation and population growth, government's share of the economy does not increase so programs require ongoing justification and prioritization.
4. It decouples budgets from normal business cycles: By creating emergency and budget stabilization funds that provide stability during slow economic times.
5. It sets the stage for true tax reform: By requiring that surplus revenue be returned to taxpayers through tax rebates or cuts.

A Simulated TABOR since 1990

The illustration below shows what could have happened if a TABOR amendment had been in place since 1990, using 10 percent of revenues for the budget stabilization fund. The state of Montana would have maintained fiscal responsibility, returned over $2.2 billion to taxpayers, paved the way for permanent tax cuts, created a substantial emergency fund, given taxpayers a voice, and established a new tone for conscientious government growth in the legislature.

Conclusion

It is time to end Montana's fiscal feast or famine budgeting process. We have seen over and over again that attempts to restrict government growth by limiting revenues simply do not work. We have also become slaves to the business cycle, living high on the hog during good times and scrambling for revenues when the economy slows down. Given the current system this outcome is not only predictable, it is inevitable. Only fundamental change will fix it and allow government to grow at a reasonable rate and be able to meet its obligations to our citizens without overtaking the economy and becoming an impediment to prosperity.

It's easy to see from the illustrations here that Montana Policy Institute's proposed TABOR amendment will cut through the murky state of current Montana government spending. The usual fear mongers will no doubt decry anything that threatens their unaccountable monies by telling of firehouses, schools, and hospitals that will be financially deprived under any change to the current system. This simply will not happen. Government will continue to grow with the economy, with inflation, and with our population. What will happen is our leaders will have to budget just like the rest of us. They will have to set and justify priorities. And as a result, citizens will keep more of their hard earned dollars and make decisions for themselves about what is best for them. Montanans rightfully take pride having good common sense – let's let them use it. A Taxpayer's Bill of Rights for Montana would be a step in the right direction.

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The Montana Policy Institute is a 501(c)(3) policy research organization that equips Montana citizens and decision makers to better evaluate state public policy options from the perspective that policies based upon limited government, individual rights, and individual responsibility will result in the greatest common good. To find out more or for copies of the complete TABOR study, visit us at www.montanapolicy.org.

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Copyright © 2008, Montana Policy Institute