Taxes Aren’t Killing Wisconsin, but Brett Davis is Trying

Not that “Wisconsin-taxes-are-too-high-and-killing-business” wasn’t a popular talking point from the right before the Pew Center Report, but its all over now. A Journal-Sentinel blog (always a beacon of intelligent thought) laments our tax burden and fleeing businesses. Perhaps the author missed Republic Airlines relocating 800 jobs to Milwaukee?

Wisconsin has some budgetary problems, no doubt, and the fed money isn’t going to be there next time around. Thankfully we’ve got legislators with no shortage of brilliant ideas.

Lieutenant Governor candidate Brett Davis wants the DOT to stop printing maps for free distribution at WI visitor centers. Democurmudgeon points out that telling tourists to “get lost” might not be the best idea for the state.

Davis has another bad idea to offer the state, zero-based budgeting. Davis (and Leah Vukmir, current rep and aspiring senator) wants state agencies to justify each component of their budget, instead of “cost-to-continue” being assumed each budget cycle.

Jimmy Carter implemented a version of zero-based budgeting. The result was excessive amounts of administrative time wasted justifying each line in a budget, much of which couldn’t be removed (entitlements, etc). Ronald Reagan ended the practice shortly after taking office.

Davis is 0-2 for good ideas solving Wisconsin’s budget problems. Anyone care to place a bet on the Lt. Gov race?

Wisconsin Would Be Better Off Without Constant RPW Attacks

Wisconsin Republicans are celebrating the Pew Center’s report, using it to slam Governor Doyle. Perhaps they forgot they controlled the Assembly until this year? The RPW will find any excuse to accuse Doyle and the Democrats of being pro-tax and anti-business.

Meanwhile Republic Airlines is adding 800 jobs in Wisconsin, citing a positive tax environment. Mercury Marine, through lies and schemes, added hundreds of  jobs in Fond du Lac (unfortunately at great cost to taxpayers).

I posted a few days ago about the RPW attacking Democratic job proposals, while offering nothing of their own. I missed one nothing. Another attack on the Dem proposal, heavy on assertions, light on substance.

Back to the Pew Report. It is a fact state lawmakers used a lot of federal stimulus money, a one-time payment, to balance the state’s budget. They won’t have that luxury in 2011. If the RPW would offer something besides unfounded attacks in the meantime, that would help the cause. Unless the party is more concerned with being in power than the well-being of Wisconsin…