In a time of economic uncertainty and tight family budgets no one is clamoring to pay more taxes. But what I hear when speaking to people in the 81st District is not an objection to taxes but concerns about tax fairness and how the tax dollars are being spent. People want more state funds spent on the public schools to lower the burden on local property tax payers; they want government funds to support and fund responsible long term economic development; they want government funds to assist those effected by the flooding, job loss and other unforeseen events, and we all want those potholes filled.
The biggest problem with current Wisconsin taxes is that they fall disproportionally on middle class property owners. Recent tax policy on both the state and federal levels have reflected a pattern of giving tax breaks to the ultra-wealthy on the theory that this will trickle down and help less wealthy people. This has not happened. And, while some Wisconsin corporations are paying their share, there are many who have used tax loop holes and tax evasion methods to avoid paying taxes in Wisconsin. Significant revenue could be generated to help fund the programs that people support if everyone paid their fair share of taxes. By changing collection methods and by closing tax loop holes we can address the issue of tax fairness and place less burden on our retirees and homeowners.
