Despite GOP rhetoric to the contrary, the data are indisputable. Property taxes rose in Dane County for 2012 in nearly all municipalities.
[T]ax bills on fair market value homes still are rising an average 4 percent in cities, 3.2 percent in villages and 3.6 percent in towns, according to data provided by the county treasurer’s office.
“I do not believe the rhetoric of no new taxes,” county Treasurer David Worzala said. “There are very few municipalities where taxes decreased.”
In the city, where spending rose just 1.1 percent to $250.8 million and employees are making new contributions for benefits, a slight drop in the tax base and cuts in state aid still meant a 3.7 percent tax increase on the average home.
Madison schools dropped taxes by 0.5 percent through a combination of reasons, including teachers paying toward pensions, a tighter state revenue cap and starting a 4-year-old kindergarten program that increased enrollment and brought extra funding.
It’s not working, Governor Walker. It’s really not working.
The Madison schools part needs to be repeated for extra emphasis.
Remember, Madison schools had the strongest teacher presence at the protests, in number, in consistency, and in vehemence, and have been a big ally in the recall movement. And they were under a collective bargaining agreement with the Madison School Board, and therefore did not have the “tools” available.
AND YET MADISON SCHOOL TAXES WENT DOWN. This story has been underplayed, and needs to be relayed statewide. Those crazy hippy-dippy liberal union-lovers in Madtown worked with their school board to lower property taxes through COLLECTIVE BARGAINING. It blows every Walker wacko’s talking points away.
That’s some mighty powerful kool-ade you’re drinking. Apparently your wingnut-flavored kool-ade has affected your visual cortex. You don’t have rose colored glasses, you have rose colored corneas!!!
Taxes went UP in Dane County.