No new taxes!
Statement from Alderman Bob Donovan May 1, 2015
Seeing that my colleague is fast-tracking his “one-percent solution” sales tax proposal for the new arena is a little more than disconcerting to me and thousands of other residents of Milwaukee and Milwaukee County.
The proposed sales tax – now scheduled for a hearing before the Council’s Judiciary and Legislation Committee on Monday – is NOT good news for the average, hard-working citizen. I mean I’m sorry, but our problem is that we’re already taxed enough!
In my opinion, it seems some of my colleagues are clamoring to raise taxes on the little guy (primarily for an arena) while our real problems and issues go unaddressed.
My colleague is even going so far as to suggest a referendum on the sales tax proposal. Well, he sure as hell didn’t want a referendum on the streetcar!
Putting a portion of this new tax toward a doomed-to-fail streetcar is a HUGE waste of resources. Why not use it to hire more police officers instead?!
And WHY is this being fast-tracked? Where’s the input from residents at public meetings out in the community (even in other municipalities in the county)?
I’m also curious to know if this proposal is being brought forth on behalf of the mayor. Does the mayor support this sales tax, or does he not support it? Or, does his opinion or support even really matter to people any longer?
Bottom line is this: I’m pretty sure this proposal – which requires approval by the state Legislature – is already dead on arrival in Madison. The Governor has indicated he wants no new taxes.
Sounds about right to me.
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.
Mentioned in This Press Release
Recent Press Releases by State Rep. Bob Donovan
Increasing the sales tax is definitely not the answer. I believe that will hurt the economy of the State in the long run. People feel that the present sales tax is fair, but edging up is going to deter spending on mid to high end products, cars, major appliances, TV’s and luxury items. Your kicking yourself in the ass for suggesting such a means…it is deserate and I guess there is truth in the statement, “Desperate people do desperate things.”
If you have to think of even doing something like this doesn’t it tell you that the whole idea of taxpayers supporting a new arena is wrong from the get.
Also, we were very blessed and fortunate that benefactors like the Pettit’s gave Milwaukee such a generous gift with the Bradley Center no strings attached. If we think this through to another level down the road, who may want to ever give/donate such a gift to Milwaukee again, because they will feel that Milwaukee can do it with their own taxpayers….food for thought isn’t it?
How’s that second petition drive coming, Bob? Is the weather nice enough yet?
I have attended all the meeting regarding Barrett’s streetcar. I asked him this question at a meeting held in February, 2015. “If it costs 124 million to fund a 2.5 mile LOOP, yes mayor Barrett it is a loop, and you want to expand it to the west to the universities, north to ??? and south to the airport, how much will this cost without raising or implementing new taxes or fees?” He either couldn’t or wouldn’t answer my question. Interesting that now a 1% sales tax is being proposed to support the Bucks arena / streetcar. Do these politicians think we taxpayers are so blind that we don’t see what they’re doing? You want your new taxes/fees, then be honest and put it on a referendum and let US THE TAXPAYER decide once and for all.