Now, I don't know this person, and am making no aspirations other than from the words he has chosen to submit to the Northwestern and the Post-Crescent, where he has chosen to make himself the posterchild for no sales tax.
In previous writings, he has asserted that the county added over 200 positions, which was incorrect. He admits that he does not live in Winnebago County, and therefore does not contribute tax revenue currently.
Then today he adds in this:
I have not studied the budget details, so am unable to make specific suggestions.
http://www.wisinfo.com/northwestern/news/opinion/stories/opinion_22996098.shtml
That is the problem with the anti-tax yellers, they have not studied (or in most cases even looked at) the budget. They, in effect, have no idea what they are talking about.
Noone wants a new tax. In this case, however, it is nessasary to make sure we can cover expenses.
6 comments:
Obviously you have not read the state statute reguarding the sales tax. It states the tax can NOT be used to "cover expenses". It can only be used for property tax relief. You really should read the law.
Jeff has not adressed the property tax relief issue in the past when it was raised on this blog and I don't think he will this time. Reason being: how can one possibly defend such a misuse of the tax money that would be raised? All Mark Harris can suggest is something like this: "A ruling has been made before that says it can be done this way, so we're going to do it". After all who can be bothered with reading those long laws much less trying to understand them.
Come on - any spending above and beyond the levy can only be done 1 of 2 ways - bonding or the sales tax.
Bonding needs to be paid back through the property tax - therefor paying for it through the sales tax relieves property tax.
That is why there is the AG's opinion is out there.
The AG's opinion was before the levy freeze. In the past a county could increase the levy and then say they were using sales tax dollars for property tax relief. While legal, it was obviously against the spirit of the law. With the levy freeze in place counties can not increase the levy (due to the law) and then say they are using the sales tax dollars for property tax relief. They must use the sales tax dollars to bring the frozen levy down. The intent of the law was for sales tax dollars to be used for property tax relief, not to cover everyday expenses.
I just happened upon your blog regarding the county sales tax issue in Winnebago. You are most adept at taking comments out of context.
Do you really believe that there is not a mere 2 1/2% of "fluff" in the budget that could not be removed without a reduction in the quality of life?
the question here is the quality of who's life.
It will not effect your's or mine.
But, it will effect tremendously those poor who rely on the services.
It will effect rural residents who dial 911.
It will effect the quality of care for nursing home residents.
It will effect those looking for safety and justice in the court system.
Just because it doesn't effect you, does not mean that there is no effect.
Post a Comment