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Wisconsin's Latest Round of Budget Fixes

From Kelly William Cobb on Tuesday, May 26, 2009 3:26 PM
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Add Wisconsin's cell phone tax to the list of temporary tax hikes that are anything but temporary.

Earlier this year we reported on Governor Jim Doyle's proposed budget with $1.7 billion in higher taxes, as well as his "state economic stimulus bill" that amounted to $1.2 billion in tax hikes.  Now, Doyle has announced further proposals to rectify the state's $6.6 billion overspending problem, including extending the tax on cell phones.

In 2003, the state created the cell phone tax to upgrade 911 response services.  When the upgrade was done, it left a balance of $20 million in the state's coffers, which was slated to be returned back to consumers as a credit on their phone bill.

However, Gov. Doyle has now proposed extending the cell phone tax, raising it by 75-cents, and then making it applicable to all landlines as well.  Oh, then he would then add another 56-cent tax to cell phones for the state's Universal Service Fund, which has nothing to do with cell phone usage.  All told, the proposal amounts to a $100 million per year tax increase on cell phone users.

The latest round of budget fixes also includes raiding the $165 million hospital tax just passed in February.  While the tax hike was originally sold as a way to provide increased care for medical assistance patients, it would now go toward fixing Governor Doyle's fiscal mismanagement.

The proposals are currently being considered by the Joint Committee on Finance, which is aiming to complete the FY2009-2011 budget by the end of the month.

CLICK HERE NOW to write the Governor and your state lawmakers urging them to oppose any new tax increases in the Wisconsin budget.

(photo by imdrugfree)

Permalink | Email | Print | Tags: TAXES, BUDGET, Wisconsin

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Comments

He said in 2003:" Going forward, I am open to every solution except one. We should not, we must not, I will not, raise taxes." What a liar! Our deficit is the fourth highest in the nation, at 6.67 billion and climbimg. Despite his popularity ratings at 35%, his arrogance continues unabated. It's time to fire him before he can do any more damage! elections are for hiring, recalls are for firing; go to www.recalldoyle.com and join us in making history.
>> emily matthews Wednesday, May 27, 2009 10:16 AM

this guy needs more than to be fired, he needs a serious butt kicking. being raised as a democrat in a democrat family i find this guy to be the most crooked of all politicians in the country. i say worst which includes the currently denounced governor of illinois who was selling obamas senate seat to the highest bidder. i have not one single time ever voted for this loser, after meeting him once i actually turned my back on him because he was just so darn full of himself. this guy is such a waste of precious space and air we breathe, i cannot wait until this guy gets whipped in the next guvenatorial election.
>> jerome dudek jr Sunday, May 31, 2009 6:39 PM

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