Wisconsin governor signs bill to make tax rise tougher

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1 of 3. People crowd the rotunda floor at the state Capitol in Madison, Wisconsin February 22, 2011. Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker signed into law on Tuesday a bill that will make it tougher to approve state tax increases.

Credit: Reuters/Darren Hauck

MADISON, Wisconsin | Tue Feb 22, 2011 3:01pm EST

MADISON, Wisconsin (Reuters) - Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker signed into law on Tuesday a bill to make it tougher to approve state tax increases, a measure that is not related to the protests over attempts to curb the power of public unions.

The new law, which was proposed by the Republican governor, requires a two-thirds majority vote in the Senate and Assembly to raise income, sales or franchise tax rates instead of a simple-majority vote.

"I went to work today, met with my cabinet, and signed legislation that will help government operate within its means," Walker said in a statement. "Wisconsinites can't turn to raising taxes to balance their own family budgets when times get tough. This bill will ensure that we don't kick the can down the road for a quick budget fix only to slap a long-term tax hike on the backs of Wisconsin taxpayers."

The Republican-controlled legislature gave final approval to the measure on February 8, three days before Walker announced his controversial plan to curb public sector union bargaining rights as part of a plan to tackle a $3.74 billion, three-year budget deficit.

(Reporting by Karen Pierog, Editing by Greg McCune)
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Comments (1)
hsvkitty wrote:
Wow, USA, you are being royally screwed. Part of the problem is Walker thinks budgeting for a state is like doing a household budget! He spends like mad and then tries to reign in those who had nothing to do with the problem.

The problem is the rich are not taxed enough, yet Repubicans give them breaks. And people are falling all over each other to blame middle class people… but the Unions are not the problem! Public sector employees are BEHIND the private sector… Walker wants to destroy Unions… so he is Union busting, not budget busting.

Wake up people. The middle class will soon be poor, and the rich will never have your back… They will take the shirt off it…and happily use it to further prop themselves up. All you need to do is read and open your eyes, because you are living in a Plutocracy and it is getting worse. They will come for you in one way or another, because the rich will never pay their fair share and one of you seem to care that they ever do…

You are being divided and playing into their hands…

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/22/us/22koch.html

Feb 22, 2011 1:51pm EST  --  Report as abuse
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