Thursday, May 24, 2007

Update on the No Tax Increase Pledge

Today has not seen any new Republicans pledge to their constituents that they will not vote for a budget that includes any tax increases or any fee increases that aren’t directly related to the cost of delivering the service.

To date, there are nine Republican representatives who are willing to take tax increases completely off of the table.  They are:

Rep. Vukmir
Rep. LeMahieu
Rep. Lothian
Rep. Pridemore
Rep. Lasee
Rep. Zipperer
Rep. Nass
Rep. Kramer
Rep. Nygren

Please take the time to let these great people know that you support their efforts to keep our tax burden from getting even heavier. 

I did, however, receive two rejections.  The first was from Rep. Ott.  The second rejection, which brings me great shame, is my own representative, Rep. Strachota.  I would like to thank both of these representatives for taking the time to explain their reasoning for not signing the pledge.  At least they have shown more respect for the taxpayers than those representatives who have so far chosen to keep their reasoning to themselves. 

Basically, their reasoning is pretty much the same.  Both Ott and Strachota tout their conservatism and opposition to tax increases, but seem to leave enough wiggle room just in case they might think it will be necessary to vote for one.  I disagree with both of them, but respect their viewpoints.  I have put both of their full responses in the extended entry of this post so you can read their full positions.  

 

Owen,

  I can assure you that I have no intention of voting in favor of a budget that includes tax increases, and any fee increases must be used for the purpose intended, with none of these funds going to the general fund.  In fact the goal of the Assembly Republicans is to produce a budget that actually has some tax decreases, and I will strongly support such a budget.  Last year I signed onto the no-tax increase pledge circulated by the Americans for Tax Reform, and I will stand by that pledge.  And while we’re on the topic, I also oppose other non-budget tax increase proposals, including the soda tax and the beer tax.

  Over the last several weeks I have carefully studied the budget proposed by the Governor and I have found a number of absolutely ludicrous initiatives to increase spending in the next two years.  It’s a budget you would expect to see in a time of state surplus.  Most of these items can be scaled back, delayed, or eliminated entirely.  That’s why I feel there is no need to increase taxes, and that some tax cuts are possible.

  My longer term goal is to bring state spending in line with reality, and over the next several weeks I will be looking at the budgets of individual state agencies to see where wasteful and inefficient spending can be cut.  While too late to help in this budget cycle, if done properly we can get Wisconsin to drop out of the top ten highest taxed states.  I will share my list with you when it is complied.

  A word of caution if the Legislature does not approve a budget by mid-October:  Certain budget items, such as those related to school funding are increased automatically by state law.  If these increases are not funded in the budget they will still have to be covered, which will mean an increase in property taxes.  So a no-tax-increase budget may still mean increased taxes, although that would be completely beyond our control under current state law.

  When I ran for office I stated that one of my major goals would be to work for lower taxes for our state.  That remains one of my primary goals, and my first priority is to serve the residents of the 23rd District.  I will be willing to stand behind my voting record in the Assembly, both for items we have already voted on, and those we will be considering in the coming months.

Jim Ott

And…

Owen,

As a rule, I do not sign “pledges” of any kind.  During my tenure in the Assembly, I have stood up for of the interests of my constituents and their hard-earned tax dollars.  I have fought hard to hold the line on government spending and will continue to do so.  My voting record speaks louder than any “pledge” I might sign.

Having said that, as my constituent (or even if you weren’t), I am happy to share my position on the budget with you.  The Democratic budget proposed by Governor Doyle includes massive spending increases and unprecedented tax increases that would cost every man, woman and child in this state $310 a piece.  That adds up to $1,240 in new taxes for a family of four and $1.7 billon dollars in new taxes overall.  Taxpayers in Wisconsin simply cannot afford the Democrats’ budget.

My goal is a fiscally sound budget that does not increase the pressure on taxpayers.  Wisconsin is already top ten when it comes to worst states in the country for taxes.  The Democrats seem to want us in the top spot.  Wisconsin is known as a leader in many areas, but being number one in taxes shouldn’t be a goal.  I also want a budget that does not include more borrowing and does not increase the structural deficit.

I am confident the Assembly Republican budget will show the citizens of Wisconsin what could have been had we retained control of both houses of the Legislature and will provide a stark contrast to both Governor Doyle’s and the Senate Democratic budgets.  However, given the split nature of the Legislature, a conference committee being formed to resolve the budget is inevitable.

If the conference committee produces a budget similar to the 2005-2006 budget that Republicans, including me, supported, then I would have to consider voting for it.  That budget included huge tax cuts and a property tax freeze offset by minimal fee increases.  In the end, I, along with a majority of my colleagues, considered that budget to be a fair tradeoff for taxpayers. 

Realistically, given the split control of the houses and Democratic control of the executive branch, I don’t think that outcome is likely and therefore, I am prepared to vote no if we fail to give the taxpayers a fiscally sound budget they can afford.  However, this is Wisconsin politics and stranger things have happened.

In the next few days, my legislative survey will be distributed through the Express News and Daily News papers.  One of the questions I ask my constituents is if they feel we should increase government spending above the projected $1.25 billion in increased state revenue.  I fully expect a resounding “no” and I wholeheartedly agree with my constituents about limiting the growth of government spending.

I understand that my constituents expect their representatives in Madison to stand up for taxpayers and hold the line on government spending.  That is exactly what I have done since I arrived in Madison and what I will continue to do as long as I continue to represent our area.  That was the pledge I made to taxpayers when I got elected and I expect to live up to that pledge.

Pat

(2) Comments
Posted by Owen at 1703 hrs
Politics + Politics - Wisconsin

  1. Jim Ott still thinks he is a weatherman. I think he has the wrong forecast. I think that high-pressure system from Madison is going to mix with the cooler air mass from his voters to create quite a storm.

    Jim Ott signed the Americans for Tax Reform pledge when he was running in a primary last fall, but now it would seem that pledges are just silly. Whatever.

    At least Strachota is consistent. She didn’t sign either which means we cannot count on her to do the right thing.

    Sounds like Vos did a good job preventing more members from signing on.

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on May 24, 2007 at 1816 hrs


  2. Well, that comment shows that you WANT to pay more taxes and fees. 

    Tell you what - if you’re so hell bent on giving your money away, pay for those who don’t have any extra to give, will ya?

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on May 24, 2007 at 2035 hrs


Commenting is not available in this channel entry.