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Taxpayer Protection Amendment
February 13, 2006
The proposed amendment to the Wisconsin Constitution called the Taxpayer Protection Amendment (TPA) is another
attempt at the state level to remove local government autonomy in decision-making and to ultimately take away the
power of local residents. Around the state, local governments are required to work within the constraints of state-imposed
mandates with only limited additional funding options. The state government should consider other types of reform
to alleviate the burden on taxpayers, as restricting local government funding ultimately impacts much-needed police,
fire, ambulance, and other important local government services.
The people of Wisconsin are fully capable in choosing and electing local representatives that will serve in their
best interests and needs, as well as balance the local budget. For years, the State of Wisconsin has had considerable
difficulty balancing its state budgets, thus imposing higher taxes on citizens. Meanwhile, local government units
have been able to balance their budgets with very little increase in tax levies.
In the last five years, the City of Stevens Point's
tax levy has increased on average of a mere 2.3% per year, while the State of Wisconsin has increased on average
of 5.1% per year. Because of this, restrictions would be more appropriately placed on state government rather than
local governments.
Tax reform is warranted for Wisconsin citizens, but state legislators need to focus on the root causes of tax levy
increases and develop real, workable solutions. There needs to also be reform in health insurance and the under-funded
federal and state mandates. Restricting local governments will only hurt the quality of life that the residents
of Wisconsin so cherish.
Please read Mayor Wescott's letter to Senator Julie Lassa
regarding the Taxpayer Protection Amendment.
Please read this article in the Stevens Point Journal:
"Tax Freeze Act Would Bring Ruin".
Please read this publication from the University
of Wisconsin: "TPA:
A Preliminary Analysis". 49 kB File Requires Free Adobe Acrobat Reader
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Gary W. Wescott, Mayor
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