Shifting taxation

My column for the Daily News is online.  It’s called, “Shifting taxation.”  Here’s a snippet:

Now we get to this year. The clear message is that the Washington County sales tax is no longer a temporary measure to meet immediate concerns. Instead, it’s a permanent fixture of our tax structure to be used by the Washington County Board for whatever purpose they deem expedient at the time.

   What’s the lesson? A tax levied for whatever purpose will continue in perpetuity irrespective of the original justification for the levy.

UPDATE: The following is the West Bend School District Response:

Dear Owen,

I read your article regarding the penny solution.  In your article you do not
mention a specific school district advocating for the penny solution.

I did want to clarify that in the West Bend School District legislative platform the
penny solution is not being recommended.

The Board too understands that the penny solution does not solve the fundamental
issues that cause the issues with binding arbitration for salaries, benefits and
mandated retirement requirements.  The platform basis is to change the laws that
create the issues and not layer funding sources that continue the current
requirements.

Sincerely,

Pat Herdrich