Maine Small Business Owners Support TABOR Reforms

Survey shows 79 percent support ballot proposal to cap government spending

CONTACT:  David Clough (207) 846-5776 or Jason Brewer (202) 406-4435   

Augusta, Oct. 21, 2009 –A survey of Maine members of the National Federation of Independent Business released today shows 79 percent of small business owners across the state support the TABOR proposal on the ballot this fall to place a cap on the growth of state government spending.  

"The response to our survey was pretty overwhelming,” said NFIB/Maine State Director David Clough. “Small business owners want an effective damper on state spending growth in order to avoid higher taxes in the future and create a more sustainable state budget that fosters private sector job growth.”

Under the TABOR proposal, state spending increases would be limited to inflation and population growth, and new taxes would be subject to a vote of the people. Seventy-nine percent of NFIB members responding to the survey support the TABOR proposal, with 16 percent opposed.  Five percent were undecided.  

Given the difficult time many small employers are having in this economy, Clough was not surprised with the results of the survey, 

“TABOR gives all citizens a voice in the size and scope of government, and small business owners support the chance to play an active role in rejecting higher taxes and keeping the growth of state government in check,” said Clough.