Badger Blog Alliance

Sic Semper Tyrannis

Thursday, December 21, 2006

Dante's, er, Doyle's Tax Inferno

I'm not sure how many levels of tax hell there are in Wisconsin, but let's tax, er, take a look, shall we?

Been a lot of talk about tax increases in Wisconsin since the November elections. On the heels of this revelation — that an unelected body wants to impose a 0.05% sales tax on Milwaukee, Racine and Kenosha counties to fund the black hole known as KRM Express, let's note the number of tax increases — actual and proposed — since Election Day.

How do we tax thee? Let me count the ways:
  • $23 million tax increase for Menomonee Falls schools approved by voters on Election Day.
  • Drivers' license fee increase (proposed).
  • Auto, SUV and light truck registration fee (proposed).
  • State Sen. Jon Erpenbach proposed elimination of many exemptions in the state sales tax.
  • Racine County Board proposes a 0.05% countywide sales tax to pay for county parks and a museum which doesn't charge admission. All the while, saying with a straight face that this tax increase will lead to property tax relief.
  • The KRM Express tax increase, which if you read the article closely may include hikes in property taxes and gas taxes in addition to the sales tax.
  • The proposed $1 a pack increase in the tax on cigarettes.
Am I missing any tax increases? It seems like I am. There have been so many in the short period of six weeks since the election. Feel free to list any local tax increases being discussed or any I have forgotten about.

My complete thoughts on the choo-choo tax can be found here.