Mere weeks after Colorado voters expressed their disgust with TABOR -- the "taxpayer's bill of rights" that was instituted in 1992 -- by passing Referendum C, lawmakers in Arizona are discussing efforts to institute their own TABOR-like measure which would limit state spending to population growth plus inflation. That combination was extremely harmful for Coloradoans, who were forced to significantly cut education and other programs and refund $3.25 billion in tax collections from 1992-2002, all while their ability to provide resources was eroding.

Following up on a previous blog posting regarding Sen. Tom Harkin's (D-IA) amendment to the reconciliation tax bill yesterday, it appears that some of his original supporters deserted him during the actual vote. His amendment, which was defeated 50-46 would have increased the amount appropriated to carry out programs under the Community Services Block Grant Act. It failed despite the fact that fifty-eight Senators signed a letter November 9 stating their support for upholding CSBG funding at $637 million in negotiations with the House on the Labor/HHS bill.

Just a short while ago, the Senate approved by voice vote this morning an extension through December 17 of the current continuing resolution (CR) funding the federal government. Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-LA) did not object to the voice vote, but went on record as voting no on the CR to highlight the plight of many still recoverying from the hurricanes on the Gulf Coast. It is still unclear what this accomplished for the people of Gulf Coast.

Late last night, GOP leaders in the House were able to strong-arm enough moderate Republicans to support their long-delaysed and radical spending cuts bill. The bill passed 217 - 215, with unanimous opposition from Democrats and Independents, and 14 Republicans. OMB Watch Executive Director Gary Bass released the following statement after the vote: