This Just In...
Kevin Fischer is an award-winning veteran broadcaster who has been seen and heard on Milwaukee TV and radio stations for nearly three decades.
Kevin, who is a legislative aide to state Sen. Mary Lazich (R-New Berlin), can be seen offering his views on the news on the public affairs program, “INTERchange,” on Milwaukee Public Television Channel 10. He lives with his wife, Jennifer, in Franklin.
*BREAKING NEWS* - The shocking, true school tax increase in Franklin
By Kevin Fischer
Friday, Dec 7 2007, 05:00 PM
When the Franklin School Board approved a huge increase in the school tax levy, we were informed the increase was 5.9%.
Today, the non-partisan Wisconsin Taxpayers Alliance released a report showing the tax levies and the change in the tax levies from the previous year for all school districts in Wisconsin.
(The Wisconsin Taxpayers Alliance, founded in 1932, is the state’s oldest and most respected private government-research organization. Through its research, publications, civic lectures, and school talks, WISTAX aims to improve Wisconsin government through citizen education. Nonprofit, nonpartisan, and independently funded, WISTAX is not affiliated with any group—national, state, or local—and receives no government support.)
The Alliance reports the tax levy for Franklin in 2006-07 was $25, 574, 810.
The tax levy for 2007-08 is $28, 554, 442.
If the Alliance’s numbers are correct, and I have every reason to believe they are, then the Alliance is correct when it reports that the increase in Franklin’s school tax levy for next year is not 5.9%.
Franklin’s school tax levy increase is 11.7%
Franklin taxpayers, you’ve been duped again by this Board.
First the Board told us for weeks the levy increase would be 5.6%.
Then on the night the budget was approved, we were told the increase was 5.9%.
Now the very reputable WTA reports, with figures in hand, the increase is 11.7%
How is a double digit school tax levy increase justifiable?
The real tax levy increase is DOUBLE what the School Board told us it was.
This is yet another clear example of just how irresponsible the current Board is.
I will be asking School Board President Dave Szychlinski for the school district’s explanation.
Update 12/08/07: Dave is going to discuss with the school district’s business manager and report back to me. As soon as I get the information, I will update all of you.
Here are the Wisconsin Taxpayer Alliance #'s.
Franklin's school tax levy increase worse than:
Greenfield
Greendale
Whitnall
New Berlin
Waukesha
Racine
Kenosha
and................
THE MILWAUKEE PUBLIC SCHOOLS
