TABOR Dealt Blow; TABOR Supporters Focus on Property Tax Freeze

Supporters of a constitutional amendment limiting local spending abruptly changed direction last weekend (May 9, 2004) and are now focusing on a property tax freeze scheme.

The so-called Taxpayer Bill of Rights (TABOR) is a constitutional amendment that would severely limit the ability of local government units, including school districts, to collect needed resources.

"The opposition to the so-called Taxpayer Bill of Rights was very effective," WEAC President Stan Johnson said. "Citizens from all corners of Wisconsin spoke up against TABOR and forced supporters to back off. Hundreds of WEAC members contacted their legislators and explained how TABOR would have caused immediate and massive harm to our great public schools. WEAC is part of a large coalition that will continue to battle any plan that threatens our schools, teachers and education support professionals. No matter what sugar-coated name they give it, the Republican tax scheme would cause immediate and massive harm to Wisconsin's great schools and staff. It is flawed fiscal policy that will not create great schools for any child."

Assembly Speaker John Gard said over the weekend that Republicans will revive the idea of freezing local property taxes. While TABOR involves amending the Constitution, a property tax freeze would be pursued through legislation. A constitutional amendment requires approval in two successive sessions of the Legislature and passage in a statewide referendum. The governor cannot veto a constitutional amendment. Legislation, on the other hand, requires passage in both houses of the Legislature, and the governor can choose to sign or veto legislation. Earlier this year, Governor Doyle did veto a property tax freeze measure.

In comments released Monday, Gard said that while he is revising property tax freeze legislation, he has not abandoned TABOR and still hopes the Legislature will take its first vote on TABOR by August 1.

Johnson said both the property tax freeze scheme and TABOR are gimmicks and diversions from the real issue of creating a fair system of taxation in Wisconsin.

"What Wisconsin needs is a thorough review and debate of our entire tax structure. We should work together to develop a fair and just tax system, not make piecemeal changes in election years."

Johnson said the various tax schemes proposed by Republicans are not the appropriate way to seek tax justice or tax relief.

"TABOR and a freeze would lock in inequities and make the system even more regressive," he said. "A freeze imposes a one-size-fits-all approach to a complex problem. If legislators want to run local government, they should run for local office, not dictate local policy from the Capitol. Legislators are 'hired' by voters to run state government. They should stick to state issues and let local officials do their jobs."

Johnson asked local leaders to urge their colleagues to continue to contact their legislators in opposition to a property tax freeze or constitutional amendment.

"We do not know the details of the new plan," he said. "But legislators need to hear their constituents say they will not accept policies that harm our great schools. The Legislature may act in the next couple weeks."

Members can use the Cyberlobby in the Members Only section of OnWEAC to communicate with their state senators about the damage that TABOR and a property tax freeze would inflict on public education. OnWEAC has a resource page on the fight against tax gimmicks with background information about TABOR and the property tax freeze issue at www.weac.org/taxgimmicks.

Posted May 11, 2004