May 5, 2011

 

 

Republicans Budget Choices = Higher Milwaukee Property Taxes

GOP Budget Promotes Higher Property Taxes, Cuts Arts & Black Holocaust Museum Funding

(MADISON) Sen. Lena Taylor (D-Milwaukee), Senate Ranking Member of the Joint Committee on Finance voiced her strong concerns over actions by Republicans to promote higher property taxes in Milwaukee by the changes to the Clean Water Fund subsidy today.  “Breaking yet another promise, the GOP has created a property tax increase in Greater Milwaukee if MMSD continues to use this successful program.  Plus they threaten to raise property taxes on smaller sewage districts if MMSD does pull out,” says Senator Taylor.  The committee voted to make changes to Gov. Walker’s budget that will cost Milwaukee taxpayers more through the MMSD levy to pay for capital improvements.  MMSD estimated that Governor’s proposal would cost taxpayers over 28 million dollars more over the next 20 years. 

 “To add injury to insult, Republicans have decided to make an attack on the things that provide beauty and a sense of history for our community.  It’s sad and Wisconsin deserves better choices with better leadership.”  Taylor noted.  The Republican majority agreed to cut over 2/3 of the funding for the Wisconsin Arts Board, which provides for the cultural and artistic growth in Wisconsin.  In the Tourism budget, Republicans rejected a motion from Sen. Taylor to move monies earmarked for the now closed Black Holocaust Museum to the Wisconsin Black Historical Society.