Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett says state Republicans are playing favorites in letting some cities have local sales taxes, but not his. Barrett has asked state lawmakers to let the city hold a referendum on a one-half-percent sales tax to help maintain police and fire protection, but Governor Scott Walker’s office has said it’s not likely to approve it. In an interview with the Journal Sentinel, Barrett now says the G-O-P is letting tourist communities which are mostly Republican have “premier resort taxes” in which tourists help pay for things like road maintenance. But because Barrett is a Democrat, he says the state won’t consider the same for Milwaukee even though it’s Wisconsin’s Number One tourist attraction by far. Barrett cites budget pressures in seeking a special sales tax — and without it, he says six fire stations would have to close.
Milwaukee Mayor: GOP Plays Favorites In Approving Sales Taxes
Oct 27, 2017 | 4:45 PM
State News