Thursday, July 26, 2007

A penny here, a penny there . . .

The County Board approved a referendum for a one cent increase in the Milwaukee County sales tax. They say the money will go to parks, transit, property tax relief, and to the municipalities for file and police aid.

Good luck with that.

Of course, proponents claim it's a way to salvage everything from apparent total colapse. As one supervisor put it: "In the balance is the quality of life in our county, If this is not the answer, what is?"

Well, how about better money management? How about eliminating pork spending? How about getting benefits and pensions in line? How about cutting the size of government?

How about saying "no" every once in a while?

What makes me cringe about the budget, tax increase, and such is that it's always the repsonsibility of the taxpayer to solve the problems. Which always means more taxes. The oneous is never on spending or the spendee. Or controlling spending. Or even cutting spending. Nope. Just raise taxes. Get more money. Nevermind using that money wisely.

What's particularly stupid about the increase is that you're just column switching. OK. Maybe my property taxes go down $200 a year. But, I'll pay that much more for a car I buy. And everything else, of course.

The other thing is, being a county tax, many people will simply go outside the county to buy things. Particularly if they're high price items. Sort of defeats the purpose of the tax hike, doesn't it?

At least it's going to a referendum. I'd be shocked if it passed. In fact, I predict it will do down with 65% opposed. Maybe 60%. There are some who will believe the hysteria. Interesting thing about this: this will come up in an election year. Perhaps not the best strategy? Particularly in light of a contentious state budget?

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