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8/18/2008
Spending controls: If the state won't do it - YOU do it
Most anyone’s crystal ball will tell you that neither Governor Doyle nor the democratic-controlled Senate will bring up spending limits on itself. [This article was originally published October 16, 2007.]
The state does limit school spending, and to a certain extent, county revenues. But for municipalities, only a voluntary “Expenditure Restraint Program” is in place – and it has holes big enough to drive the proverbial truck through. When a state budget does pass, it may contain either a 2% or 4% property tax “freeze,” but won’t limit increases in total municipal spending.
So if the state won’t do it, how about citizens everywhere working for their own local Taxpayer Bill of Rights?
Wisconsin doesn’t allow statewide, citizen-initiated referendums. But statutes do allow – and are very specific about – a group of citizens to petition their city or village via direct legislation. And that’s just what I and a couple of stalwart taxpayer advocates did in 1996.
Section 9.20 of the state statutes allows for direct legislation:
9.20 (1) A number of electors equal to at least 15% of the votes cast for governor at the last general election in their city or village may sign and file a petition with the city or village clerk requesting that an attached proposed … resolution… either be adopted by the common council or village board or be referred to a vote of the electors.
And here’s how the SUMMARY of my “mini-TABOR” Petition for Direct Legislation read:
The total Tax Levy for the City of Appleton shall not increase by more than the rate of inflation plus an allowance for growth, without a ¾ vote of the Common Council.
The actual proposed budget ordinance appeared on the petition as well. Its language is pretty complex – but not excessively long – just over 100 words. If you’re interested in the specifics, send me a quick note and I’ll send you the verbage.
Here’s what the ordinance means, in plain English:
Total revenues available to be spent by the city cannot increase by more than inflation plus 60% of new construction, unless a budget containing such an increase is passed by a ¾ vote of the Common Council.
That’s quite a liberal spending standard – inflation plus 60% of new growth. Standards suggested in recent state discussions suggest a limit of inflation only or growth in average personal income. Note that the Appleton limit applies to fees and shared revenues, as well as property taxes, thereby limiting a city’s ability to raise permit fees, for example, as a substitute to higher taxes.
The ordinance we initially proposed over 10 years ago has now been part of Appleton’s Municipal Code for 10 years. I call it the TLO – the Tax Levy Ordinance.
It was a huge struggle to get passed (more on that later), but we did it!!!
Will you?
I’ll share everything you’ll need to get “mini-Taxpayer Bill of Rights” passed in your community. E-mail me... In that the state won't do it - a few hearty workers throughout the state could really make a difference in Wisconsin’s onerous tax burden.
Jo Egelhoff, FoxPolitics.net
COMMENTS
Most corporations operating in Wisconsin pay ZERO income taxes. That sounds terrible to me. Further for a company the size of MillerCoors please show us how Wisconsin's "terrible" taxes impact shareholder values... by what, a penny?
What are your sources? When "major corporations" don't pay taxes, it's because subsidiary corp.'s and partnerships are paying taxes instead. Got to get the whole story... JE
daver (Wed Oct 17 05:25:52 2007)
TABOR is a an ineffective response to failed government and failed leadership. It is an immature response to our seeming inability to find solutions in a polarized political environment. It sends us all to the woodshed because we lack the maturity and emotional intelligence to find the path out of the swamp. Its inherent ridigity is its greatest vulnerability. We live in a fluid environment that resists the sort of structure that TABOR requires. People who struggle with ambiguity and find constant change a challenge will love TABOR. It makes life simple.
You're darn right I struggle with ambiguity, shifting objectives and unwillingness to prioritize. TABOR provides firm fiscal goals and discipline that all understand. Sure, prioritizing is tough - and folks with differing principles, prioritize completely differently. Yet we've got this funny little thing called democracy (or a Republic) that has worked pretty well for 230 years to ultimately determine those priorities. JE
Bob Pedersen (Wed Oct 17 09:59:58 2007)
I'm really impressed with your work on passing a local TABOR, Jo. I would also mention, in response to daver's comments above, that corporations/businesses do not pay taxes: People pay taxes. The people who own and work for profit-making organizations have money taken out of their paychecks when government levies taxes on their value-making work. Many people don't look at it like that, even though it's the truth.
Richard Lorenc (Thu Oct 18 11:36:51 2007)
You failed to mention that, in November 2005, Colorado residents voted to suspend for five years the revenue caps imposed by their TABOR law. Did you simply run out of room for that fact? Or do you instead believe that Colorado's politicians are smarter than her people?
Sean Duffey (Tue Oct 23 13:33:31 2007)
While I don't necessarily like TABOR and obviously Colorado didn't either, it has opened a healthy debate on how to control costs in state and local governments.
Bob Pederson seems to think that TABOR is being suggested because our legislators are immature and political in nature. He's right but how do you change that attitude except by doing what Jo has suggested and forcing the hand of our representatives. If you have a better idea Bob, then you should express your thoughts unless you are satisfied with the taxes that are levied by the state and local governments. Even not-for-profits have to prioritize instead of passing it along to the taxpayer. That's what Jo is asking. If you have a better idea then let's hear it!
Mike Thomas (Mon Aug 18 14:20:20 2008)
When a family has a financial problem, one of the best things to do is to cut up credit cards, and decide what is really NEEDED (Starbucks coffee would have to go). It would be nice if government operated the same way.
Imagine: pay only for what NEEDS to be done, like roads, sheriffs, fire protection...and cut out the rest. Unfortunately, all most people can think of is to extend the "credit lines" by increasing taxes. They misunderstand that PRIVATE charities will always outdo government charities, and keep on thinking "we need X,Y,Z programs."
Just like the homeowner facing foreclosure that HAS to keep on having his Starbucks.
EMILY MATTHEWS (Tue Aug 19 11:44:12 2008)
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