Local property taxes feature in the race for governor. Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett unveiled his budget for 2011, which seeks to hold the line on property taxes. “My budget keeps the property tax levy flat, does not increase municipal fees, and draws the line on total levy supported borrowing,” Barrett said Thursday. In fact, Barrett’s nearly billion and a half dollar spending plan for the state’s largest city actually shaves a tiny amount off the $247-million tax levy: less than one-thousandth of one percent.
Barrett’s Republican opponent in the race for governor, Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker said the Democratic mayor has “found religion” at a convenient time. “For six prior budgets the Mayor of Milwaukee, Tom Barrett has introduced a budget every one of those years that increased the property tax levy from the previous year,” Walker said Thursday in Madison. “In fact for the year we’re in right now, his budget last year increased taxes and fees by $21-million.” Barrett and Walker are scheduled to face off in their first campaign debate Friday night in Milwaukee.