Just days before Common Council members are scheduled to take an important decision on the new income source, a sizable number of Milwaukee residents showed up Thursday evening to express their opposition to a planned 2% city sales tax.
Sales Tax Debate
Based on the news released by Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, a town hall held at the Clinton Rose Senior Center, 3045 N., Beverly Hamilton-Williams remarked to cheers, “They’re telling us if we don’t pass the 2% sales tax then we’re going to go bankrupt. Well, then we’ll go bankrupt.” Queen Dr.
At the gathering, fury was the main feeling. Residents criticized the city for negotiating the new law in Madison that permitted the sales tax but also includes what they believe to be unfair constraints on Milwaukee’s independence. They also criticized the idea of higher taxes, especially for people with fixed incomes. Speakers urging council members to vote against the sales tax and prevent budget cuts were loudly booed, while those urging them to support the tax received applause.
Sales Tax Vs. Milwaukee Residents
Residents at the senior center expressed frustration with the sales tax and the plethora of changes to Milwaukee policies included in the new law that permits the city to enact it, which contrasted sharply with a smaller, more relaxed town hall hosted by council members from the city’s south side at the same time.
Twelve individuals attended the gathering on the city’s south side at the Forest Home Cemetery Chapel, while roughly 90 people were present for the meeting hosted by the six council members who represent the north side. Forest Home Avenue. Some of the around a dozen locals questioned the city’s financial management and the reasons behind the rising annual pension contribution at the chapel. However, many were also open to the notion of a sales tax; some offered suggestions for how to decrease the burden on low-income citizens, while others later stated that it was necessary in order for the city to continue providing its services.