Johnson Applauds Demise of TABOR for This Session

The announcement by Senate Majority Leader Mary Panzer that the so-called Taxpayer Bill of Rights and property tax freeze idea are dead for this legislation session is very good news for Wisconsin's communities, WEAC President Stan Johnson said Thursday (June 10, 2004).

"Sen. Panzer and Senate Republicans made the rational decision," Johnson said. "As government officials and citizens learned more about the potential impact of TABOR, a growing consensus has been developing that this proposal would undermine local governments and devastate public services, including our great schools."

TABOR would have been proposed as a constitutional amendment. It would have to pass both houses of the Legislature in two consecutive sessions and then pass in a statewide referendum. Assembly Speaker John Gard and other supporters of TABOR had hoped to win first-round passage this summer, second-round passage in January, then put it before voters in 2005. The decision by Senate Republicans not to consider the measure this year means the earliest it could go before voters would be 2007, and that would only occur if it could pass both houses of the Legislature in 2005 and 2007.

A broad coalition consisting of religious, health care advocacy, education, domestic violence prevention, public employee and local government groups formed to oppose TABOR, which would place into the state Constitution specific limits on how much tax money local and state governmental units could collect and invest in their citizens. A similar provision in the Colorado Constitution has caused severe budget problems and has undermined the state's ability to provide quality services. Last week, the coalition conducted news conferences in Green Bay, Waukesha and Eau Claire. On Wednesday, the Wisconsin Counties Association sponsored a statewide Webcast on TABOR, which drew almost no praise for the controversial proposal.

"It is now time to turn our attention to actions that will openly and honestly address issues surrounding the quality of life in Wisconsin. We look forward to an open dialogue on health care, education, economic development, jobs, and a fairer taxation system that benefits all taxpayers," Johnson said. "The Governor's Task Force on Educational Excellence is finalizing its carefully researched and thought-out report on school funding. Its recommendations should be carefully considered as we work to develop a system that provides fair and adequate funding for our schools and helps us maintain classrooms that work, great teachers and staff, and great schools for all children."

Resource page of tax gimmicks

Posted June 10, 2004