Scott Walker, Milwaukee County Executive, today vetoed the opportunity for residents of Milwaukee County to voice their opinion on a proposed 1% sales tax that would fund parks, public transit, and lower property taxes.

Note that he didn’t veto a raise in the sales tax itself. He vetoed the chance for a referendum question on the ballot during next years spring election cycle.

Why doesn’t Scott Walker want his constituents to exercise their basic democratic rights on this issue and to once and for all end the guessing about what people in this County really want?

Walker’s veto suggests two things to me. One, that he’s afraid the people of Milwaukee County might just decide to approve the increase, and two, that an as yet undeclared opponent to him for County Executive could use the issue to turn out votes in a possible election battle next spring.

The question now is will the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors override his veto and let the people who use Milwaukee’s parks, ride it’s buses, and own property within the County make their own decision about raising the sales tax in the County by a penny per dollar.

When the County Board passed the measure last month, the vote was 10-6 in favor with two Supervisors absent and one seat vacant. Thos Supervisors in favor were Gerry Broderick, Toni Clark, Elizabeth Coggs-Jones, Marina Dimitrijevic, Lee Holloway, Willie Johnson Jr., Michael Mayo Sr., John Weishan Jr., Peggy West and James White.

Those against the referendum were Supervisors Mark Borkowski, Lynne De Bruin, Dan Devine, Richard Nyklewicz Jr., Joseph Rice and Jim Schmitt.

Recently elected Supervisor Jursik, who won a special election earlier this month, has indicated she would be in favor of the referendum which would put an override vote at 11-6, which would leave Supervisors Roger Quindel and Paul Cesarz with the deciding votes (assuming no one changes their vote). One of them would have to vote in favor of overriding Walker’s veto for the referendum to appear on the ballot next spring.

We’ll have to wait till late September when the County Board reconvenes to find out if the residents of Milwaukee County will get to have their say on this important issue.

• Previous Entry: Another “Six Months To Victory” Have Passed
• Next Entry: Wisconsin Right Wing Media: Lay Off the Teenage Girls