Remember when being a conservative meant fighting for lower taxes? Governor Scott Walker still believes that’s what being a conservative is all about, but Republicans in the state legislature seem less certain.
On Friday, Walker promised to veto any state budget that includes a property tax increase for homeowners. Walker was reacting to news that some Republican members of the Joint Finance Committee want to keep the portion of the property tax dedicated to the state purchase of forestry land, even though the program already has more money than it needs.
Walker’s ultimatum isn’t surprising, but the need for him to stake out his position is. After all, Republicans control both houses of the legislature, so conservative fiscal values should be a given.
Sadly, some legislative Republicans have lost sight of what it means to be a conservative. Their months’ long love affair with a gas tax increase being the clearest evidence to date. How can conservatives oppose eliminating the state property tax while advocating for a gas tax increase?
Call your state legislators today. Tell them we don’t need another tax hike.