Pennsylvanians Opposed to Spending Limits:

Business Group Poll Uncovers Little Support

for TABOR in Pennsylvania

HARRISBURG, Pa., May 30, 2006 /PRNewswire/ -- More Pennsylvanians oppose state spending limits than support them, according to a poll released on Thursday by the business-funded Pennsylvanians for Effective Government (PEG) Education Committee.

The survey of 700 registered Pennsylvania voters found 46% of respondents opposed to spending limits and only 40% in support. Significantly, only 51% of self-identified Republicans favored spending limits.

The poll results were detailed in a PEG report, Defining Government Reform, which assessed legislative and public views on policy proposals to change the size and operation of state government.

"The results suggest that Pennsylvanians know about spending limits and they don't like them," said Sharon Ward, Director of the Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center. "Voters are unwilling to accept limits that would cut into or restrict necessary growth in vital public services."

The Pennsylvania General Assembly is considering legislation, known as TABOR (Taxpayer Bill of Rights), that would limit state spending to a formula of inflation plus population growth. TABOR legislation was enacted in Colorado in 1992 and is under consideration in 21 states.

Bills to enact spending limits have passed Pennsylvania's House and Senate. A bill to amend the Commonwealth's Constitution to make spending limits permanent has passed the Senate, and is awaiting its third and final consideration in the House.

Spending limits, if enacted, would significantly reduce state spending.

A Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center report found that state spending would be 24% lower in 2005 had TABOR been enacted in 1986, forcing huge cuts in education, health care, and other services (see http://www.pennbpc.org).

The poll results are consistent with trends around the country, where states are increasingly rejecting TABOR proposals. In Arizona, Kansas, Minnesota, South Carolina, and Wisconsin, TABOR was introduced in the legislature and rejected. Last week, after a huge bipartisan public outcry, the Ohio legislature was forced to pass legislation to remove a TABOR initiative from the ballot.

"The more voters know about TABOR, the more opposed to it they become," said Ward. "Lawmakers should put TABOR in a box and ship it back to Colorado."

SOURCE: The Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center