Comments on: Text of Proposed Sales Tax Referendum for Milwaukee County http://dancody.org/archives/text-of-proposed-sales-tax-referendum-for-milwaukee-county.html Progressive commentary & Wisconsin politics by Dan Cody of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Wed, 7 Jan 2009 08:21:43 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7 hourly 1 By: Smitty http://dancody.org/archives/text-of-proposed-sales-tax-referendum-for-milwaukee-county.html/comment-page-1#comment-28201 Smitty Thu, 03 Jul 2008 20:01:40 +0000 http://dancody.org/?p=1463#comment-28201 Dan, Thanks for the update, I wasn't sure about the application of the Exposition tax. But I still think a sales tax increase is regressive, even with the exemptions. Dan,

Thanks for the update, I wasn’t sure about the application of the Exposition tax.

But I still think a sales tax increase is regressive, even with the exemptions.

]]> By: Daniel Cody http://dancody.org/archives/text-of-proposed-sales-tax-referendum-for-milwaukee-county.html/comment-page-1#comment-28118 Daniel Cody Thu, 03 Jul 2008 03:18:03 +0000 http://dancody.org/?p=1463#comment-28118 The sales tax is 5.6% in Milwaukee County. The 0.25% Exposition tax only applies to food and beverages, not general purchases. That's the reason I took exception to the "Close to 6% comment". The sales tax is 5.6% in Milwaukee County. The 0.25% Exposition tax only applies to food and beverages, not general purchases. That’s the reason I took exception to the “Close to 6% comment”.

]]> By: Smitty http://dancody.org/archives/text-of-proposed-sales-tax-referendum-for-milwaukee-county.html/comment-page-1#comment-28083 Smitty Wed, 02 Jul 2008 22:33:47 +0000 http://dancody.org/?p=1463#comment-28083 Dan, The current sales tax in Milwaukee is 5.85%*, so a 1% increase would bring it to 6.85% which is very close to 7%. Your real estate taxes might decrease by $175 but how much will you actually save (unless you buy all your clothing, appliances and electronics in Waukesha)? Too, your $175 in savings is partially subsidized by Milwaukee County renters. * 5.00% state sales tax 0.50% county sales tax 0.25% Mil. Exposition Dist. 0.10% Stadium Total: 5.85% I think that's right. Dan,

The current sales tax in Milwaukee is 5.85%*, so a 1% increase would bring it to 6.85% which is very close to 7%. Your real estate taxes might decrease by $175 but how much will you actually save (unless you buy all your clothing, appliances and electronics in Waukesha)? Too, your $175 in savings is partially subsidized by Milwaukee County renters.

* 5.00% state sales tax
0.50% county sales tax
0.25% Mil. Exposition Dist.
0.10% Stadium

Total: 5.85%

I think that’s right.

]]> By: Daniel Cody http://dancody.org/archives/text-of-proposed-sales-tax-referendum-for-milwaukee-county.html/comment-page-1#comment-28045 Daniel Cody Wed, 02 Jul 2008 04:37:49 +0000 http://dancody.org/?p=1463#comment-28045 Saying it would be "near 7%" is taking some liberty. That's like saying a gallon of gasoline is "near $5.00 a gallon". I mean, I know it benefits your argument to round it as high as possible and all, but it's not accurate. As for groceries and medicine, they would be exempt. There's no "if" about it. I'm surprised you're not looking at this from a property tax perspective. Under this plan, I'd be saving at least $175 next year on my property taxes which would represent a 5%, or "nearly 6%" if I round up, decrease in my property tax levy. That's substantial. Saying it would be “near 7%” is taking some liberty. That’s like saying a gallon of gasoline is “near $5.00 a gallon”. I mean, I know it benefits your argument to round it as high as possible and all, but it’s not accurate.

As for groceries and medicine, they would be exempt. There’s no “if” about it.

I’m surprised you’re not looking at this from a property tax perspective. Under this plan, I’d be saving at least $175 next year on my property taxes which would represent a 5%, or “nearly 6%” if I round up, decrease in my property tax levy. That’s substantial.

]]> By: Smitty http://dancody.org/archives/text-of-proposed-sales-tax-referendum-for-milwaukee-county.html/comment-page-1#comment-28037 Smitty Tue, 01 Jul 2008 21:48:05 +0000 http://dancody.org/?p=1463#comment-28037 Hmm " ...to be used to removed..." If this referendum passes, the Milwaukee County sales tax will increase to near 7%. There's no way this tax cannot be considered regressive, especially for renters and those on a fixed income---even if food, shelter and medicines are exempted. Hmm ” …to be used to removed…”

If this referendum passes, the Milwaukee County sales tax will increase to near 7%. There’s no way this tax cannot be considered regressive, especially for renters and those on a fixed income—even if food, shelter and medicines are exempted.

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