Wednesday, January 30, 2008

Dems Propose Pork-Based Economic Package

Wonderful...

Wisconsin Senate Democrats formally broke with Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle and Assembly Republicans on economic development today, recommending an immediate $50-million boost in highway spending and development of the KRM commuter rail line between Kenosha, Racine and Milwaukee.

[...]

“This is something that Senate Democrats want to push,” said Senate Majority Leader Russ Decker (D-Weston). The Democrats’ package would also spend $5 million more to train welders and health-care workers, give vocational colleges $1.3 million more in state aid, and spend $15.1 million more to subsidize child-care costs for middle-income parents.

[...]

Democratic Sens. John Lehman of Racine and Bob Wirch of Kenosha both said the KRM commuter rail line would be paid for a $13 increase in car rental costs in southeast Wisconsin and is backed by leaders from both parties.

Decker and Sen. Pat Kreitlow (D-Chippewa Falls) estimated that their economic development package would cost about $180 million - $90 million in the year that ends June 30 and another $90 million the following year. The money would be generated by ending a corporate tax loophole that allows businesses to create out-of-state companies that don’t pay Wisconsin taxes.

So their idea is - despite a $400 million budget shortfall - to jack up taxes and increase government spending. 

Great.

(3) Comments
Posted by Owen at 1943 hrs
Politics + Politics - Wisconsin

  1. The money would be generated by ending a corporate tax loophole that allows businesses to create out-of-state companies that don’t pay Wisconsin taxes.

    Now correct me if I am wrong here, but shouldn’t this statement really read:

    We are going to force large companies based in other states like Home Depot, BP/Amoco, Shell, Wal-Mart etc. to Incorporate in Wisconsin, so that they HAVE to pay Wisconsin income taxes?

    Thats not a loophole at all,-although the Democrats will tell you otherwise- its’ just another money grab by the state of Wisconsin.

    I just wish for once the State would call it what it is, a Corporate money grab, instead of playing it off as a ‘fairness” issue.

    Posted by Michael J. Cheaney on January 30, 2008 at 2147 hrs


  2. The money would be generated by ending a corporate tax loophole that allows businesses to create out-of-state companies that don’t pay Wisconsin taxes.

    And those taxes will create more out-of-state companies…

    ...from the same people, using the same logic, that plugged the budget with a tobacco tax (ostensibly intended to lower usage), followed immediately by a smoking ban proposal.

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on January 31, 2008 at 0206 hrs


  3. Do Lehman, Decker, Wirsch, and Kreitlow, not think that the Execs at MillerCoors are looking at this and saying to themselves “ya know Denver is certainly looking more attractive every day?” 

    I would LOVE to think that Wisconsin would at least have the decency to curtail the added tax talk at least until the decision is formally announced. (Even though we do all know its going to Denver)

    It seems like the Madison establishment keeps coming up with these stupid and shortsighted tax increases which actually create more problems than they solve.

    When will they realize that?

    Posted by Michael J. Cheaney on January 31, 2008 at 0931 hrs


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