Last week, Milwaukee County Executive and Wisconsin gubernatorial candidate Scott Walker pledged to oppose any attempts to raise taxes should he be the next Governor. By signing ATR’s Taxpayer Protection Pledge, Walker represents a departure from current Gov. Doyle, a failed tax-and-spender throughout his tenure.

Doyle recently raised tobacco taxes $355 million, telephone taxes $100 million, income taxes $287 million, capital gains taxes $242 million, and hospital taxes $854 million. He also voluntarily drove up the cost of health insurance courtesy of a $490 million tax increase on insurance companies, nursing homes, and surgical centers.

Wisconsin needs a new direction. The state’s unemployment rate is high; its oppressive tax burden is a deterrant to investment, job creation, and economic growth. By signing the Taxpayer Protection Pledge, Scott Walker has show he understands the perils of Gov. Doyle’s tax-and-spend agenda. Gov. Walker would not make the same mistakes.

Visit Scott’s campaign site here. See below for ATR’s press release on Scott’s commitment to Wisconsin taxpayers

Scott Walker Signs Taxpayer Protection Pledge in Campaign for Wisconsin Governor
Gubernatorial Candidate Promises to Protect Wisconsin Taxpayers
 
WASHINGTON, D.C.— Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker, a Republican running for governor of Wisconsin, has signed the Taxpayer Protection Pledge sponsored by Americans for Tax Reform (ATR). The Pledge is a commitment to constituents to “oppose and veto any and all efforts to increase taxes.”
 
Currently, 7 Governors and over 1,100 state legislators have signed the State Taxpayer Pledge. They join 33 Senators and 172 members of the House of Representatives who have signed the Pledge on the federal level.
 
“Wisconsin residents need leaders committed to fiscal responsibility and pro-growth
economic policies. Scott Walker has long stood on the side of the taxpayer and I commend him for reiterating his commitment to the people of Wisconsin by signing the Taxpayer Protection Pledge,” said Grover Norquist, president of ATR.
 
By signing the Pledge, Scott Walker demonstrates that he understands the problems of hard-working taxpayers nationwide, but especially the taxpayers in Wisconsin.”
 
“I applaud Scott for his leadership and dedication to the ideals of limited government, and for putting taxpayers’ wallets ahead of government coffers,” added Norquist. “I strongly encourage every candidate in Wisconsin and in elected offices throughout the country to sign the Taxpayer Protection Pledge.”