We seem to be edging closer and closer to direct democracy
and away from representative democracy. Polls are a perfect example of just why our
founding fathers were wise not to have our laws determined by popular vote since public
opinion swings wildly month to month and even week to week. They were correct to assume
that electing legislators and leaders for a set term in office would prove the more stable
approach of government of, for and by the people. Nationally, 215 years of success proves
the wisdom of our Constitution.
Here in Wisconsin we have been successful under the same
system for 156 years. We are protected by both our state and national constitutions.
However, today we see a populist uprising demanding a halt to heavy taxation here compared
to other states. We’re sixth in the nation, and up until recently we were third. That
seems to be way out of line as a burden for Wisconsin taxpayers. I agree. In fact, the
Legislature and I had us down to number 11 a bit more than 20 years ago.
Now comes the latest attempt to again get control of the
ever-increasing taxes and spending. The name of this attempt has a real American ring to
it: The Taxpayers Bill of Rights. Almost all the legislators from my party support this
terrible idea. Let me ask all legislators, especially on my side of the aisle, why is this
needed?
I’m sure you would direct one to page 819 of the
latest Blue Book which has a chart showing our revenues and expenditures for the past 30
years. When I left office, my last budget had $6 billion in GPR (general purpose revenue).
However, just 19 years later the GPR budget was almost $21 billion. The Taxpayers Bill of
Rights is needed to protect the taxpayers of Wisconsin from that kind of increase. But
protect us from whom? Who did that to us? You have to accept the responsibility here! You
passed all those budgets.
Almost all of you campaigned on a platform of restraining
growth in government and getting Wisconsin out of the top 10 nationally. You know I have
great affection and admiration for the quality of our elected representatives, but now I
hear you saying that you are not able to keep taxes and spending from increasing.
Therefore we should have a constitutional amendment so the people can do what you were
elected to do. During the Holy season, I can’t avoid the similarity of Pilate washing
his hands of the matter at hand and turning the decision over to the people.
Get off this bandwagon before the people wake up to the
fact that in supporting TABOR you are conceding defeat in your pledges to control spending
and taxes.
The primary and final responsibility for the taxes and
spending level of Wisconsin rests with the Legislature and the governor under our
Constitution. The answer isn’t to change that Constitution and hold the people
responsible. If any of you in either party aren’t up to the task of meeting your
constitutional responsibility to control taxes, then you should leave office and let
someone replace you who can and will. That’s why I say get off this bandwagon now
before it’s too late.
Again look at the chart on page 819. What you’ll find
for the years 1979 to 1983 when I was in the east wing and the Democrats controlled the
Legislature is that we had four years where the budget did not increase at all in real
dollars. Essentially, it increased to meet inflation. But, you’ll point out that when
I left office, due to the "Rust Belt Recession," we had as the chart shows a
$182 million shortfall or deficit. Gov. Tony Earl did exactly what I would have done if I
had stayed. He put a 10 percent surcharge tax on income which was TEMPORARY, and which
allowed all programs to continue until the recession was over.
Change that Constitution
and you severely restrict future governors and legislators from dealing with such
emergencies. Get off the bandwagon and do what we elected you to do.
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