Colorado Democrats are proposing a dangerous income tax increase under the guise of funding education. State Sen. Barbara Kirkmeyer, who represents Larimer counties and Weld, criticizes the proposal as a backdoor attack on TABOR dressed up in the language of helping kids. She argues that the only way to fund education is to allow politicians to take and keep more of taxpayers' money forever. The proposal, which would have allowed the state to spend roughly $8.2 billion in TabOR refund dollars without ever asking voters for permission, is a step further in an attempt to grow state spending by up to $5 billion annually and significantly increase education funding. Kirkmeyer argues that this plan is not reform but surrendering to TABO, which protects taxpayers from a government that will always find an excuse to take more money. She also criticizes politicians' lack of priorities and suggests that the funding protections for certain types of schools are uncertain once TABOT is removed.