THIS WEEK, I AM WRITING A FIVE-PART SERIES ON THE TOP ISSUES FRANKLIN FACES. TODAY, I CONCLUDE MY SERIES WITH ISSUE #1.
TAXES
A few months ago, a successful Greenfield businessman I know (who resides in New Berlin), unaware of my home community, asked me where I live.
When I told him, his immediate reaction, without hesitation, was laughter.
“Oh my goodness,” my friend said. “How do you put up with those high taxes?”
It’s a common reaction outside the 53132 zip code.
“Franklin’s nice, but those taxes are really high.”
“Aren’t your taxes outrageous?”
“How can you afford to live there?”
This is one of those occasions where perception is, indeed, reality. Franklin’s taxes are far too high, and the issue of taxes is undoubtedly the most critical problem the city and its residents face. Everyone knows this, and yet, there doesn’t appear to be the willingness to put the brakes on runaway taxing and spending.
Even though Franklin aldermen have attempted to exercise fiscal restraint, last year the Common Council approved a spending increase of 9% with a tax levy increase of 5%. That’s simply too much. The counter argument of, “Franklin: Our tax increase could have been higher,” just wouldn’t look good on a bumper sticker or a Chamber of Commerce ad and doesn’t fly with beleaguered taxpayers.
The previous Franklin School Board, without making a strong case why or providing concrete details, told the pubic it needed an eye-opening $78-million tax increase. Angry voters rejected the whopping tax increase. What is sure to be the response of school district officials who apparently are wearing ear plugs? Try another sizeable referendum, after it more than likely adopts a large school tax levy increase at its August 27, 2007 meeting.
Franklin’s representative on the Milwaukee County Board is but one voice among supervisors who haven’t met a tax increase they don’t support.
The MATC board, unelected with no accountability, knowing taxpayers have no recourse, repeatedly raises taxes well beyond the rate of inflation. Ditto for the Metropolitan Milwaukee Sewerage District.
Governor Doyle in his budget proposed an increase in taxes and fees of $1.75 billion. Not to be outdone, state Senate Democrats in their budget proposed universal health care at an annual cost of $15.2 billion, the largest tax increase in the history, not of Wisconsin, but the entire country.
When does the madness end?
If there’s anyone willing to take the tax bull by the horns and say enough is enough, now is certainly a good time. Unfortunately, the tax and spend mentality, like a cancer, has spread throughout the state, at all levels of government. Franklin, bursting at the seams, has decided to handle its growing pains through high taxes.
Taxes matter.
Business owners look at a state’s and a community’s tax structure to determine if they want to locate here, open up shop, and create new jobs. Why is our business climate one of the worst in the nation, 44th according to Forbes.com? Easy. Our taxes are too high.
How many jobs does Franklin create? How many new businesses start here? Do plants open up in Franklin? It depends a great deal on taxes.
And what about the businesses that are already here? The higher the taxes go, the more profits go down. When that happens, companies respond by passing costs onto consumers. Workers suffer when profits plummet because wages are not as high and jobs are cut.
Residents take a hit in their pocketbooks when taxes exceed the ability to pay. They have less money to save, spend, or invest. The local economy then also suffers.
Wisconsin has the highest property taxes in the nation. Increasing the burden only makes it more difficult to live here, necessitating the need to put up the For Sale Signs.
What about those figures showing a big increase in Franklin’s population?
Let’s get real. They’re not coming here because they love our taxes. They’re coming here in spite of the tax burden. We have the open space, we’re safe, we’re clean, and we may not have the amenities we so desire (and it may take awhile to get them because of the factors I cited in Franklin’s Top Issues #2) but by golly we’re close to communities that do.
I renew my challenge to my friends at City Hall to use their talents to tighten the reins even further. Doing so will help retain and recruit more jobs, and prevent more gifted taxpayers from moving out. I would issue the same challenge to members of the Franklin School Board. The people who pay the bills deserve a break.
In summary, I have reviewed an analyzed what I believe are the top issues Franklin needs to address. There is an identity crisis born out of a city that is growing by leaps and bounds. The battle to keep sex offenders restricted must not let up. Before we start sending school taxes to the moon, let’s demand and get greater student achievement from our pupils. Franklin must step up its efforts to retain businesses that residents need and want. Obstructionists to economic development need to unselfishly get out of the way. But more than anything, this community must stop the out of control taxing and spending……now.
FRANKLIN’S TOP 5 ISSUES
1) TAXES
2) ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
3) STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT
4) SEX OFFENDERS
5) FRANKLIN’S IDENTITY CRISIS
DON’T WANT A BIG INCREASE IN YOUR SCHOOL TAXES? CONTACT FRANKLIN SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS NOW.
