150 Rally in Beaver Dam to Oppose Tax Gimmicks

Educators and other supporters of quality public services display their signs after an anti-TABOR and anti-property tax freeze rally at Swan Park in Beaver Dam on May 8. 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. Large detailed photo.

About 150 teachers, education support professionals, school administrators and community members braved cold weather and rain to rally against TABOR and other tax schemes in Beaver Dam Saturday (May 8, 2004).

The Winnebagoland UniServ and members sponsored the May 8 rally to show opposition to tax plans that harm great schools.

WEAC President Stan Johnson told the crowd that school districts throughout Wisconsin and the Winnebagoland area are already making painful budget cuts.
"We can't take any more of this," he said. "We're fighting back and saying we're not going to take it anymore."

"This legislation will destroy our schools," Hustisford School Board member Tom Schmidt told the group. "We can't cut any more. We've laid off teachers and reduced programs. This legislation will ruin the spirit of our community."

Beaver Dam School Superintendent Brian Busler told the crowd that a series of listening sessions in his district found support for investing in public education.

"A graduate said, 'Will my child have the same educational experience I had?' That's the question for the future," Busler said.

He suggested using the learnings from WEAC's Great Schools initiative and working together to support a great school for every kid.

"It's an investment, not a drain," he said.

WEAC member and National Education Association Executive Committee member Mark Cebulski told the group that TABOR and the so-called 'No Child Left Behind' act at the federal level are based on the same premise.

"Supporters think education can be based on two tests," he said. "You know one size doesn't fit all. This tax plan doesn't fit every community, every school board or every district."

He called TABOR "strangulation by regulation" and called on the audience to keep the issue on the front burner.

"What you do in the coming weeks is very important," he said. "Keep the conversation going. Keep reminding people we understand the short-term and long-term implications of this."

Cebulski added that citizens elect legislative leaders.

"We trust them or we can replace them," he said.

Resource Page on the Fight Against Tax Gimmicks

Posted May 10, 2004