Statement from Rep. Barca on GOP property tax plan

MADISON – Assembly Democratic Leader Peter Barca (D-Kenosha) released the following statement today about the property tax plan announced by Gov. Walker and Republican legislators:

“Middle-class taxpayers certainly deserve relief after Republicans gave their hard-earned money away to unaccountable private voucher schools, wealthy special interests and a health care plan that costs more and covers fewer people. But it’s questionable at best as to whether the plan Republicans announced today would even do that.

“The non-partisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau estimates that the plan announced by Gov. Walker and Republican leaders would not even erase the projected property tax hike contained in the current Republican budget. Under this plan, LFB estimates that the average property tax increase on the average home would go from $31 to $11. And using the school equalization aid formula means that any benefit from the Republican plan would not be applied equally and some may see no benefit at all.

“Furthermore the governor has stated his desire to rush this plan through in a week – without serious scrutiny and without informing Democratic legislative leaders yesterday during our first formal meeting with him in four months. From the creation of WEDC to taking away workers’ rights to selling state power plants without bids, we’ve repeatedly seen Gov. Walker ram through legislation regardless of the negative consequences to our state.

“After enduring weeks of negative stories about dismal job numbers and a scandal surrounding hundreds of thousands in taxpayer money they steered toward a political ally, Gov. Walker and Republican legislators owe the public a lot better than trying to change the subject with a property tax plan that doesn’t even allow Wisconsin taxpayers to break even.”

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.

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