Uppity Wisconsin

BusStop. Vote Yourself $43 Million Tax Relief

The November 4 Referendum On Transit, Parks And Emergency Services.

Attention Milwaukee: This is a Yes. Vote Yes.

This is real tax relief.

If we approve the referendum, we empower State government to deliver real tax relief. In two ways we are asking the State:

1. Please take these three services off of the property tax. Off. Removed. Gone. Vamoose. Forever.

2. Please shift these services to a one percent sales tax. Dear Governor, with your support we can collect $43 million from visitors to help pay for our city's needs.

"With a 'yes' vote, residents can send the message that community deterioration - which ailing transit and suffering parks fuel - isn't an option."<http://www2.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=807309>

So, where does the $43 million come from?

BusStop. Bay View Neighborhood Association Loves Our Bus

Four Mondays in August Bay View neighbors will do the unthinkable. They will gather for coffee and caffeinate their minds with the intention of riding the bus downtown. Surely there are rules against this: Car owners boarding buses? Leaving the car at home? "Un-American" is what jock radio will say about Bay View.

Last August when Bay View riders rode -  four Mondays at 7 a.m. - it stirred the County Board into an hour of consternation.

Now, the County Sheriff has been alerted for rowdy commuters; Milwaukee police squads will cruise bus stops for signs of unruly passengers, wearing - you know - that gangland side-ways baseball cap.

Bay View nervously awaits these Mondays mornings and the rowdy street parties. Revelers are said to be ready to welcome the coming of Route 15 from the Deep South Suburbs.

BusStop - No You Can't

As promised, Scott Walker has vetoed a Milwaukee County Board referendum. The referendum's goal is worthy: property tax relief from parks and transit expenses. Visitors share the costs with a modest sales tax increase. The natives pocket the difference.

To explain why citizens are forbidden a vote in Milwaukee County on their property taxes -- one of the most annoying and unfair taxes ever invented to siphon our wallets -- he ought to step to a microphone and address the citizens with three simple honest words:

"No You Can't."

Laughter would be healthy. History -- which is now moving in the Yes direction - makes this man funny.

There is a way to make a city work for everyone. Walker's politics of "no" are moving against history. Look at him.

Proof of his History Deprived Mind? Well, his veto claim that "There already was a referendum on this issue...."  Lena Taylor actually refused to support a new sales tax.

BusStop. Watch Your Language

The good news is that the Milwaukee County Board might be able to override Scott Walker's veto. At stake is a referendum to take parks, emergency services and transit off of the property tax. The bad news is that we may be talking ourselves into a defeat at the polls.

I plead with all bus and park loving citizens: Stop and think what you are saying. Watch your language.

• We know that reducing Property Tax is a winner.
• We know that talking Sales Tax is unpopular.
• So, why don't we talk about Property Tax Relief?
• Talk about how this referendum will deliver Relief.
• That visitors to Milwaukee County will now help us fund our buses and parks.
• That the County will reduce your property tax while funding parks, emergency services and transit.
• That our bus system will have a chance to pull out of its death spiral.

This referendum will inspire oceans of vigorous conversation throughout the County. It is not merely a sales tax hike; it is more. It is a chance for County residents to grab a some relief in one smart vote.