Nov 01 2007
Residents Not As Frenzied About MPS Tax Increase as They Should Be According to Journal Sentinel
I can’t figure out why this article in today’s MJS showed up on the front page and not the editorial page.
Apparently, the MJS has been listening to it’s sister AM talk radio media outlets quite a bit lately. It seems the reporter here is genuinely surprised that “regular” people aren’t panting breathlessly as much about the tax increase as the ultra conservative radio talk show hosts who spend the majority of their day railing against any kind of spending increase in this State, County and City.
One can argue that by questioning the lack of “outrage” about the large tax increase, the MJS is joining it’s other media outlets in trying to whip said outrage by focusing on it and expressing such shock that no one attends MPS board meetings.
I’ve been to enough MPS board meetings to know that the board is usually speaking to itself, or at best, a few concerned people for at least the first half of the meeting.
Yes, there’s a massive amount of apathy from the public on issues relating to the school board, and yes that’s a problem. Instead of joining the conservative chorus to lament the fact that “no one cares about tax increases!!”, the MJS should do its duty as a public educator and commit some resources to reporting about MPS on issues other than police officers or handcuffs. Or give some coverage to MPS issues and the people that make decisions on those issues on days other than those immediately preceding school board elections.
If they’re so concerned about the issue of public apathy towards MPS on issues other than the conservative “anti-tax” crusade, start reporting on the shocking lack of after school programs for kids, or how music and art have all but disappeared from public schools, or why school counselor positions are disappearing at an alarming rate.
Just one more piece of evidence (as if we needed any) that the news department is in control of a suburban conservative, George Stanley, who doesn’t hesitate to use the news pages to push his own political agenda.
He, and the rest of the anti-tax zealots, can’t imagine that people might actually be willing to pay more for the services the government provides. Of course they’re trying to whip up turnout. Can you imagine the outrage if the school board called a second hearing because no one showed up to support a school referendum at the first hearing?
Well it looks like it worked. I’m out on my porch where I have a direct line of sight to the MPS administration parking lot. All four major networks have TV vans here and the parking lot was packed with cars at the start of the meeting, although it’s thinning out a bit now.
And good point about the howling you’d hear if the shoe were on the other foot.
Dan (and other pro-taxers),
Since you are running for a County Supervisor seat, I as a voter in your district, have a question(s) for you. Is there a tax increase for county transit, parks, or MPS that you wouldn’t vote for? If not, how much are you willing to increase the tax burden on the citizens of Milwaukee County? I would just like to know, so I can start budgeting for all of the increases coming down the pike.
As for specifically commenting on the 16% increase, why should anyone think that is a good idea? I mean the product this school system has been putting out is atrocious. MPS needs to really evaluate their costs. Not the arts, not music, certainly not school counselors (they’re needed now more than ever) and not for after school programs. Those are all noble and important programs that, when cancelled are just a band-aid to the bigger problem. That problem is the Cadillac payment package MPS teachers have. Specifically their unbelievably high priced insurance, pension, and salary structure; those costs are a huge financial burden on this school system, and one that needs to be in line with reality. Continuing to go to the citizens for more money, year after year, is not the answer. All that does is increase costs for the middle class family, and force them out of the city, county or state. Maybe not now, but if this tax first, ask questions later mentality continues, look for an ever decreasing tax base, which will then require more taxation, more flight, until we look like Detroit.
Sean, MPS teachers have to deal with the most hellish work environment imaginable, of course they should get a nice benefits package. If you don’t want to pay your taxes, stop bitching and please leave. There are plenty of other cities and states that would love to have a free-loader like you.
I agree Dan that this JS article belonged in the editorial pages. This is not news! The article explicitly uses language like “speculative” “suggestive” etc to promote its political slant. It’s so obvious that it’s insulting to readers. I don’t understand why or how anyone thinks MPS will ever improve without a strong financial infrastructure. Education is SO important people, and those poor city folks are the ones who need it most.
Dan,
Reading your blog makes me so glad I moved out of Milwaukee County in 1986. Politicians like you are the ruination of the city, the county and the state. Now that I’ve retired I’m looking to move to a fiscally sane state. The one thing worse than an “anti-tax zealot” is a “tax and spend leftist”.
Hey Hermes,
Good advice, it’s time for us “free loaders” to get the hell out of Wisconsin and leave it to schmucks like you.
Sean, I wasn’t aware that you live in the 15th district. I must have read some of your previous comments the wrong way, sorry about that.
At any rate, to answer your question, of course I wouldn’t blindly vote for anything, tax increases especially so. As I’ve been talking to people in district this has come up quite a bit, and I’ve made the point every chance I get to speak to a crowd that I think there are numerous places within the current County budget that with better oversight can produce savings which could be redirected to things like parks and transit, as well as property tax relief.
After all, I’m affected as much as anyone by tax increases, and in the four years since we bought our house, we’ve seen our property taxes rise just like everyone has and are concerned about it.
That’s why I do support a dedicated funding source, tied to inflation, for parks and transit in Milwaukee County. We’re one of the only major metropolitan counties that still rely on an antiquated property tax levy to fund those services. One of my primary goals when elected would be to take those services off the property tax roles so everyone in Milwaukee County, myself included, could see an increase in the level of service provided while lowering our property tax bills.
And I agree with the fact that a 16% increase isn’t the best idea. In a perfect world, MPS would have not been shortchanged in the state budget and therefore would not have had to ask for such a large percentage increase in their property tax levy.
At the same time, as a father who will have two children entering MPS within the next four years, I’m extremely concerned about the direction of MPS as well. I want my kids to have access to things like art and music class. I want them to have access to the kind of help school counselors provide should they ever need it.
Most of all, I want them and all children in the MPS system to succeed because the future of Milwaukee County and all of Wisconsin depends on the largest school district in the State turning out adults who are well rounded, educated, and ready to become productive citizens when they graduate.