Kansas TABOR: A Survey of AARP Members

The Taxpayer Bill of Rights, commonly referred to as TABOR, is a state constitutional amendment that strictly limits the growth of state and local revenues and expenditures. When this survey of Kansas AARP members was conducted in December 2005, Kansas was one of about a dozen states considering the adoption of TABOR.

Since TABOR has the potential to affect the standard of living in Kansas, and because understanding how it works requires substantial educational outreach, the survey examines how much and what members know about TABOR, and their reactions when being advised of its likely effects.

• While many of those surveyed have seen, read or heard about TABOR in the last two years, most are not familiar with it.
  
• Before hearing both arguments for and against TABOR, 39 percent supported and 30 percent opposed it. After hearing the arguments, 33 percent supported and 42 percent opposed it.
  
• Describing TABOR's effect upon Colorado's economy in the 15 years since its adoption is a strong argument against Kansas adopting a similar amendment.
  
• If passage of TABOR in Kansas were to require some government services to be cut, AARP members would be most worried about health care for seniors, followed by primary education and health care for children.

The telephone survey of 806 randomly selected Kansas AARP members was conducted by Woelfel Research between December 8th and 12th, 2005. Further information may be obtained by contacting Joanne Binette of AARP Knowledge Management at 202-434-6303. (21 pages)