Voters must understand that taxes are services
Source: Appleton Post-Crescent

APPLETON, WI - April 13, 2004 - As area lawmakers said Monday, it's a mistake to take a position on the Taxpayer Bill of Rights until it's off the drafting table.

The general idea -- an amendment to the state constitution limiting how much government can spend without taxpayer approval -- won't change in the details or the implications.

A cap on government spending is the same as a cap on services -- a connection that Wisconsinites don't seem to clearly understand.

A Wisconsin Realtors Association Quality of Life survey in 2003 found that most of the state's residents think spending on protective services, garbage pickup, parks and recreation is about right.

About half said that if they had to sacrifice something because of a tax freeze, they'd accept a cut in parks and recreation programs. They were evenly divided on whether to cut services or raise property taxes, though the majority opposed cutting money for schools or protective services.

The results don't jibe. The things we say we value most are the costliest services -- public education and public safety. Cutting parks and recreation budgets won't cover rising costs for teachers and firefighters.

If TABOR passes the state Legislature twice, it will go to the voters. Between now and then, we need to understand its implications for our quality of life.