Congresswoman Gwen Moore Announces Support for the Revenue-Raising 2% Sales Tax for the City of Milwaukee

She encourages members of the Milwaukee Common Council to vote in favor of the enabling legislation at its scheduled meeting tomorrow and released the following statement:

“I stand with many of my constituents and others in support of the proposed sales tax for the city of Milwaukee. Yes, there are poison pills in the state legislation that Wisconsin Republicans imposed on us. But tomorrow’s vote by Milwaukee’s Council members is only about one issue: whether there will be enough revenue to provide basic city services in the years ahead,” Congresswoman Moore said.

Without the sales tax, hundreds of firefighters and police officers will be laid off.  Libraries will also face drastic cuts including the closing of multiple branch libraries across Milwaukee.

If the sales tax is in place, for the first time, commuters and visitors to the city will directly support the services they receive from Milwaukee.  It is also important to note that items such as groceries, prescription drugs and rent are exempt from the sales tax.

“Milwaukee’s future is bright, and our wonderful citizens deserve good city services. Our city libraries need to stay open and public safety must be adequately funded. It appears there is only one way forward, and that’s to generate new revenue through a city sales tax. Despite these poison pills, we must act to avoid a catastrophic fiscal crisis,” Congresswoman Moore said.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.