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DPW: Wineke Sends Walker Examples of Property Tax Bill Reductions
12/15/2005

CONTACT: Jessica Erickson, Communications Director, 608-260-2406
jessicae@wisdems.org

Walker’s Own Campaign Manager Saw a $145 Reduction, While His Republican
Opponent Mark Green’s Tax Bill Went Down More Than $300

MADISON – In response to Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker’s challenge last month to Governor Doyle to produce an average property tax bill anywhere in the state not increasing next year, Democratic Party of Wisconsin Chair Joe Wineke today sent Walker some examples of bill reductions, including for members of Walker’s staff and even his Republican opponent Mark Green.

In his letter to Walker, Wineke said he was happy to report that an analysis released this week by the State Budget Office shows that Wisconsin residents across the state will see dramatic property tax relief under Governor Doyle’s property tax freeze. In fact, the report even shows that Wisconsin taxpayers fare better under the Governor’s responsible freeze than the Republican plan.

“If you refuse to believe the facts of this report, I suggest that you look across your campaign office at your campaign manager Bruce Pfaff, whose property taxes went down $145.27 this year – a reduction of almost 3.5 percent,” Wineke said. “Or you could ask your chief of staff Jim Villa for a copy of his tax bill, which went down $2. Even better, you could check in with your unpaid campaign spokesman Mark Belling, who will tell you that his property taxes went down a whopping $448.58 this year.”

If he is still not convinced, Wineke said Walker should ask to see a copy of the property tax bill for his opponent Mark Green, whose taxes went down by $308.90 – a reduction of 5.61 percent. Earlier this week, Green’s campaign showed it wasn’t ready for primetime by criticizing the Governor for failing to deliver on reducing property taxes, when Green himself saw a reduction of more than $300.

Even more Republican critics of the Governor are saving big because of Doyle’s property tax freeze:

· Joint Finance Committee Chair Dean Kaufert saw his property tax bill drop 4.42 percent, a savings of $172.67.
· Senate President Alan Lasee’s property tax bill decreased by 4.54 percent, a savings of $160.
· Senate Majority Leader Dale Schultz’s bill dropped 3.53 percent, saving him $86.05.
· The co-authors of the TABOR bill both saw their bills drop, saving Senator Mary Lazich $20.47 and Representative Frank Lasee $14.80.
· Senate President Pro Tempore David Zien’s property tax bill plummeted almost 10 percent, saving him $537.68.
· Other members of the Joint Finance Committee saw significant savings. Rep. Scott Jensen’s bill dropped almost 8 percent, saving him $345.01, while Rep. Jeff Stone saved $361.69 on his property tax bill. Rep. Kitty Rhoades saw a savings of almost 7 percent, a $247.45 reduction, while Senator Robert Cowles saved $24.70 on his property tax bill.

The following additional Republican co-sponsors of TABOR all saw their property taxes go down: Rep. Don Pridemore, Rep. Ann Nischke, Rep. Scott Suder, Rep. Terry Musser, and Senator Tom Reynolds.

In addition, the following Republicans saved on their property tax bills due to Governor Doyle’s freeze: Rep. Mark Gottlieb, Senator Ron Brown, Congressman Tom Petri, Rep. Al Ott, Rep. Judy Krawczyk, Rep. Garey Bies, Congressman Paul Ryan, Senator Glenn Grothman, and Senator Cathy Stepp.

“It is time that Republicans stop complaining and thank the Governor for delivering on real, meaningful property tax relief,” Wineke said. “The reality is Governor Doyle’s property tax freeze is holding the line on property taxes across the state, and many homeowners like Bruce Pfaff, Mark Belling, and Mark Green will actually see their bills go down.”