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4/28/2009
Rep. Petersen: The first 100 days an assault on your employer
As taxpayers scurried to get their taxes filed by the April 15th deadline, a multitude of their fellow taxpayers congregated outside the state capitol and around the state in a Taxpayer “TEA” Party protest. “TEA” stands for Taxed Enough Already.
Although 8000 individuals gathered on the capitol grounds, Wisconsin’s main stream media seemed to ignore the rally and its message. Additionally and not surprisingly, the same media ignored April 14th which marked the first 100 days of the 2009-2010 legislative session.
Last session the Republican led Assembly in the first 100 days bi-partisanly passed monumental legislation. Important measures like Comprehensive Election and Ethics Reform, Eliminating Sick Leave Benefits for Elected Officials, Partial Veto Reform, and a Photo ID Constitutional Amendment.
Contrast last session’s to this present session’s first 100 days. For the first time in 14 years, the Democrats control the governor’s office, the Senate, and the Assembly. Since taking control, the Assembly leadership has cancelled 9 out of 16 scheduled session days. These 9 days could have been used to work together towards legislation which would aide employers in maintaining and creating jobs.
While Wisconsin’s job-loss rate is at an all-time high, actions by Wisconsin Democrats continue to exacerbate job loses. In February Governor Doyle introduced and legislative Democrats passed a budget repair bill in 48 hours, with no public debate. Adopted on a straight party line vote, this bill raised taxes over $1.2 billion on Wisconsin’s families and employers.
One of the most damaging aspects of the Budget Repair bill was combined reporting. Combined reporting is a new tax imposed on the operations of Wisconsin companies that are located in other states. This new tax sent a clear message to Wisconsin companies: the larger you grow, the more state government will take.
Governor Doyle is leading an all out assault on Wisconsin employers. Instead of policies promoting and expanding current businesses, along with encouraging new business growth, he and fellow Democrats have instead demonized Wisconsin employers with the following sound bites: "ending corporate welfare," "closing tax loopholes," "making businesses pay their fair share," "protecting workers," and "paying fair wages."
Their job-killing tax hikes and sound bites are already taking a toll. Wisconsin’s unemployment rate is at 9.4 percent. That’s a 0.6 percent up tick over February’s 8.8 percent, and the first time since June, 2007 that Wisconsin’s unemployment rate was higher than the national average, which was 9.0 percent in March.
The last time Wisconsin’s unemployment rate was this high was 1982, when it topped out at 10.9 percent. Manufacturing lost more than 9,000 jobs last month, the most of any sector.
Harley Davidson illustrates this growing trend. In January, the company stated it was eliminating 1,100 factory and office jobs. Hundreds of those positions are in Milwaukee.
On the day after protesters gathered in rallies against job killing tax hikes and policies, Harley announced an additional 400 blue collar jobs would be cut. Among reasons cited by the company was “a change in Wisconsin tax laws,” (i.e.: combined reporting) resulting in a $22.5 million charge against this quarter’s earnings.
As more and more employers are closing, initiating lay offs, or leaving for other states, Governor Doyle remains silently absent in improving Wisconsin’s business environment.
The governor’s tired argument that businesses don’t pay enough in taxes just doesn’t fly when every day brings more and more layoffs. To make this issue even worse, the Governor’s 2009-2011 budget proposal would increase taxes an additional $3.18 billion above the $1.2 billion already passed in February.
While Governor Doyle invents ways to tax our state’s employers, Minnesota’s Governor Pawlenty is urging his legislature to cut Minnesota's business tax rate in half. His proposal would reduce the current 9.8 percent business tax rate to 4.8 percent over the next six years. He justifies the move will take his state from having one of the worst business tax rates in the country, to having one of the best, in an effort to keep and attract more jobs.
Those who target businesses to pay for the state’s endless spending refuse to acknowledge that every tax increase grabs money out of Wisconsin’s employers’ hands - the very money used towards employees’ salaries and benefits and for job creating expansions.
Kevin Petersen is a Republican and represents the residents of the 40th Assembly District.
COMMENTS
Recall Doyle! Go to www.recalldoyle.com for info.
emily matthews (Tue Apr 28 10:09:30 2009)
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