TABOR's effects will be devastating, group says

Friday, February 17th 2006, 6:09 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- A fiscal expert from Colorado and a coalition of Oklahoma organizations have joined together to denounce putting a proposed taxpayer bill of rights in the state Constitution.

Members of the Alliance for Oklahoma's Future say the proposal known as TABOR would be devastating to education, health care and other vital services.

The Alliance is made up of more than 40 organizations, including the state chapter of the AARP, the Oklahoma Conference of Churches and the County Government Legislative Council.

Colorado Fiscal Policy Institute analyst Carol Hedges says since TABOR has been in Colorado, the state has fallen near the bottom of states in funding for education and health programs.

Spokesman for Oklahomans for Action Rick Carpenter conducted the petition drive for TABOR.

He says Oklahoma's version of TABOR was written so it wouldn't have the problems experienced in Colorado.