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.
The flawed MJS editorial on the sales tax referendum
By Kevin Fischer
Saturday, Jul 5 2008, 07:44 PM
It’s no surprise that the tax-loving editorial board of the Milwaukee Journal/Sentinel is cheerleading for a sales tax referendum to go on the November ballot asking voters to increase the county sales tax. In order for that to happen, the Milwaukee County Board would have to override a veto by County Executive Scott Walker. You can almost sense the glee of editorial writers as they cartwheel down the Journal/Sentinel hallways. Their editorial today is flawed in many ways.
The editorial, anticipating a veto override writes that (Supervisor Gerry) “Broderick says the tax would raise $130 million. About $65 million would go directly to property tax relief, he says…”
Let’s stop right there. Does anyone in their right mind expect that any group of politicians, once they get their hands on a pot of money, let’s say $65 million, won’t devise ways to spend it? Especially the Milwaukee County Board.
Property tax relief? From a sales tax increase? Not gonna happen. You don’t lower taxes by raising another tax.
Again, from the editorial, “Walker says Racine and Waukesha counties pay less in sales taxes than Milwaukee does, but that's an apples-and-oranges analogy. The referendum is about relief for Milwaukee County's taxpayers, not those elsewhere.”
Earth to editorial writers. The rate of sales taxes in surrounding counties is a relevant, legitimate issue of concern, since consumers will drive to those counties to save money.
The editorial also says, “It's time for the board to stand up to Walker and for taxpayers, asking them in November whether they want to pay a penny more in county sales tax to save parks and transit while lowering their property tax bills.”
How is paving the way for a potential tax increase standing up for taxpayers? And I repeat, it is highly doubtful property taxes will go down in Milwaukee County. Not when you consider school taxes, local municipality, MATC, MMSD and state taxes are all part of the local property tax equation.
The editorial says supporters of the referendum may pick up another vote. That would mean one of the six Supervisors that voted against the referendum would have to flip-flop and my sources say that could be Lynn DeBruin.
That’s why it’s important to contact your Milwaukee County Supervisor ASAP to ask him/her to sustain Scott Walker’s veto. Why? Because taxes are high enough. Supervisors were elected to make tough decisions and need to come up with other alternatives.
Walker’s veto needs to be upheld. Call your Milwaukee County Supervisor ASAP and ask that he/she vote to sustain the veto of the sales tax referendum.
