Did IQ's drop significantly in the past few weeks?

Both referendums are poised to pass. Sick pay will now be mandated by the government. Never mind your business, business size, pay rate, other benefits . . . businesses will now have to offer 9 days paid sick leave.

And . . .

Our sales tax will now rise by 1% making Milwaukee a tax island. This ought to be real good for businesses near the borders. Your stuff is now more expensive and you have to pay out 9 days of sick leave.

Whaddaya mean you're moving out of the city?

I need to say this. Some people are too stupid to vote.

It's Just a Penny!

The County Board approved a measure that would put to referendum a hike in the sales tax of one cent. This has come up and been tried before. But, Scott Walker has always vetoed the measure. I actually wish he would let it go to referendum. Maybe then the County Board would see NO ONE wants an increase in the sales tax. What's interesting, and dubious, is that the board says there would be a savings on a person's property tax as a result of this. From JSonline:

The sales tax would yield property tax savings of about $165 a year on a Milwaukee home worth $150,000, according to backers of the proposal. The estimate was based on substituting sales tax revenue for the $67 million the county now spends in property taxes on parks, transit and emergency medical services.

“Parks” is broadly defined to include recreation and cultural institutions the county supports, including the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts, the Milwaukee Public Museum and the Milwaukee County Zoo.

Supervisor Joseph Rice said the referendum language was misleading and that supervisors couldn’t guarantee the property tax relief would continue in the future. Supervisor Christopher Larson said the tax relief was plainly stated in the referendum question.

“The voters should trust us that that’s what we’re going to do because that’s what it says,” Larson said.

"Trust us"?

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!

(Catching my breath)

You've GOT to be kidding me!

A penny here, a penny there . . .

The County Board approved a referendum for a one cent increase in the Milwaukee County sales tax. They say the money will go to parks, transit, property tax relief, and to the municipalities for file and police aid.

Good luck with that.

Of course, proponents claim it's a way to salvage everything from apparent total colapse. As one supervisor put it: "In the balance is the quality of life in our county, If this is not the answer, what is?"

Well, how about better money management? How about eliminating pork spending? How about getting benefits and pensions in line? How about cutting the size of government?

How about saying "no" every once in a while?

What makes me cringe about the budget, tax increase, and such is that it's always the repsonsibility of the taxpayer to solve the problems. Which always means more taxes. The oneous is never on spending or the spendee. Or controlling spending. Or even cutting spending. Nope. Just raise taxes. Get more money. Nevermind using that money wisely.

What's particularly stupid about the increase is that you're just column switching. OK. Maybe my property taxes go down $200 a year. But, I'll pay that much more for a car I buy. And everything else, of course.

The other thing is, being a county tax, many people will simply go outside the county to buy things. Particularly if they're high price items. Sort of defeats the purpose of the tax hike, doesn't it?

At least it's going to a referendum. I'd be shocked if it passed. In fact, I predict it will do down with 65% opposed. Maybe 60%. There are some who will believe the hysteria. Interesting thing about this: this will come up in an election year. Perhaps not the best strategy? Particularly in light of a contentious state budget?