Tuesday, May 22, 2007

Yet More Champions for the Taxpayers

Despite an aggressive effort by the Assembly leadership to discourage representatives from agreeing to this pledge, I have received four more affirmative responses to the pledge that I sent the Wisconsin Assembly Republicans a few days ago.  Here’s who has now signed the pledge.

Rep. Lasee
Rep. Zipperer
Rep. Nass
Rep. Kramer

These fine representatives join the following in going on record promising not to vote for any budget that includes tax increases:

Rep. Vukmir
Rep. LeMahieu
Rep. Lothian
Rep. Pridemore

Please let these legislators know that you support them and will fight for them if they fight for us.  Here are their responses:

Owen,

The taxpayers can count on me. 

Frank Lasee

And…

Owen:

Thank you for your inquiry on higher taxes.  I want you to know that on November 27, 2006, I publicly announced my adamant opposition to any tax increases in the 2007-2009 Biennial Budget.

I will vote against any version of the 2007-2009 Biennial Budget that increases taxes or increases fees solely for the purpose of balancing the state budget!

Fees are meant to pay for the costs associated with specific, segregated programs.  The Governor’s budget proposal raises all sorts of fees solely for the purpose of shifting those dollars to balance the state general fund.

The issue of budget version is very important because there will be a Joint Finance Committee version, a Senate Democrat version, an Assembly Republican version and a Conference Committee version.  The Conference Committee version is the one that will be sent to the Governor for his signature. 

The members of the Senate and Assembly can’t amend the Conference Committee budget.  It is a straight yes or no vote.  The conference committee will be made up of house leadership from the Assembly and the Senate. 

It is my position that the Assembly Republican leadership should not agree to any tax increases or fee increases for general budgeting use at the conference committee table.  NONE.

If my leadership fails to meet this line-in-the-sand, I will vote against any bad deal negotiated by the leaders of both houses.

As you may know, I have voted against several state budgets regardless of pressure from my leadership.  I work for the people of the 31st Assembly District.

Steve Nass
State Representative
31st Wisconsin Assembly District

And…

Dear Mr. Robinson,

Thank you for contacting me regarding Governor Doyle’s proposed budget.  I am pleased to accept your pledge.  I share your strong opposition to the huge tax and fee increases that the Governor has proposed.  Simply put, I will not vote for a budget that increases taxes.

By almost any measure, Wisconsin is among the most over taxed states in the union.  Our high taxes are driving jobs, seniors, and young people to other states.  Governor Doyle’s $1.7 billion dollar tax increase proposal, which will lead to even higher property taxes, costlier fees, and increased costs for gasoline and health care, points this state in the exact opposite direction that we need to go. 

My very first political job was as a Special Projects Coordinator for Americans for Tax Reform, and part of my job was to urge congressmen and state legislators across the country to sign the Taxpayer Protection Pledge.  The pledge very plainly states that “I will oppose and vote against any and all efforts to increase taxes.”  I took that pledge when I ran for the Assembly, and that’s how I will continue voting in Madison.

In the Assembly, I will work for a budget that reduces the tax burden and controls state spending.  We need to focus on bringing government costs under control, and getting big government off the backs of our hardworking, industrious people. 

Thanks again for taking the time to contact me and thank you for your efforts to help prevent our tax burden from growing even higher. 

Sincerely,

Rich Zipperer
State Representative

And…

Owen –

This isn’t a complicated issue.  I do not sense from the residents of Waukesha that the mood exists for tax or fee increases.

I was very clear in my campaign last fall that I was opposed to a budget that increased taxes, increased fees disproportionate to the cost of delivering a service, or raided segregated funds.

I will NOT support a budget that raises taxes.  Madison has a spending problem, not a revenue problem.

Thanks for asking.

Bill [Kramer]

And here is the map of which parts of Wisconsin are represented by Assemblyfolks who are protecting the taxpayers’ wallets:

image


(8) Comments
Posted by Owen at 1852 hrs
Politics + Politics - Wisconsin

  1. Oooohhhh…RED!!

    I like red!

    Posted by dad29 on May 22, 2007 at 1915 hrs


  2. Lassee is kind of the poster boy for the empty gesture, isn’t he?  This pledge, by your admission, isn’t a tool for governance but one for holding accountability. 

    Where are your proposals for spending cuts to match the effect of inflation on local governments.  School busses, snow plows and, paving machines all run on diesel fuel which has increased at a rate far beyond inflation.  Where in all this cahtter is the semblance of a plan?

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on May 23, 2007 at 0918 hrs


  3. Actually, go read my column for this week.  I managed to find plenty of cuts.  It’s just a shame that I was limited to 800 words.

    Posted by Owen on May 23, 2007 at 1015 hrs


  4. Grumps foretells how this fight will play out.  W/o tax and fee increases, draconian service cuts will be trotted out and it will all be the Republicans’ fault.

    The core of the problem goes back to Governor Doyle’s knowingly false pre-election claim that he had “eliminated” the state budget deficit without tax increases.  In fact, as his own budget director told the Journal Sentinel last year, the deficit of $3.2 billion had been cut in half, not eliminated.  This item was buried in a story and Doyle was able to get away with this misleading campaign claim.  After his re-election we learned, SURPRISE, that there was a deficit estimated at $1.6 billion.  When Doyle submitted his new budget — voila — it included $1.7 billion in new taxes and higher fees. This from the guy who “eliminated” the deficit without raising taxes.

    Cutting $1.7 billion won’t be as easy as some suggest.  Doable, perhaps.  Easy, no.  All the usual suspects will be out in full force to predict doom and gloom.  The Journal Sentinel will give them complete cover.  The same paper that let Doyle skate through the campaign falsely claiming to have solved the state’s fiscal problems.

    Those who are demanding pledges need to get ready for the real heavy-lifting.  TABOR and other similar efforts collapsed in the past because the spending constituencies are better organized and more motivated.  Many have fulltime people in the capitol whose sole job is to get Doyle’s $1.7 billion package approved.

    I believe that Republican legislative leaders recall how these fights played out in the past.  Those who demanded pledges, etc., weren’t around when the real battle got underway.

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on May 23, 2007 at 1110 hrs


  5. Why haven’t you heard from our own Assembly Woman Owen? Is Pat dodging you or is she just to busy?

    Posted by TomInGrMi on May 23, 2007 at 1147 hrs


  6. Don’t know.  Haven’t heard a peep either way.

    Posted by Owen on May 23, 2007 at 1150 hrs


  7. I’m growing impatient waiting for my own Assemblyperson (Scott Newcomer) to show up on the list.

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on May 23, 2007 at 1156 hrs


  8. I too am anxiously wondering why the Fitzgerald brothers from that bastion of conservativism, Dodge County, have not signed the pledge!  Let’s get with it Scott & Jeff…

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on May 23, 2007 at 2208 hrs


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