As Americans, we value our freedoms. Events in recent history often cause us to fear that those freedoms granted to us in the Constitution could be limited by the wealthy and powerful forces in our government. But the national policy discussions are only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to freedom.
We’re a society of government-dictated, publically funded programs that attempt to meet the needs of their population equally. That thinking however is at best, flawed and at worst, impossible. With each attempt to instill fairness and encourage government dictated outcomes in policy, the freedom to use our hard earned dollars as we see fit erodes due to constantly increasing taxes.
In Rock County, we pay property taxes at rates higher than 90-percent of the counties in the United States. In Wisconsin, a Rock County Resident with a $500,000 home will pay $1250 more in property taxes (14.5% higher) than the statewide average. Rock County’s effective property tax rate is 5th highest in the state, outpaced only by the counties of Milwaukee, Menominee, Kenosha and Dane. (See the RCF Did You Know document for more details on Rock County property taxes and how they compare to other counties around the US by clicking on this LINK. Also see the RCF Did You Know regarding the “unsustainable path” which the Rock County budget is currently on by clicking on this LINK.)
Are you getting your money’s worth? Can you justify the amount of taxes you pay based on the county services you receive? What are you, as a taxpayer, unable to do that you would like to do because of the county’s high tax rate? What freedoms are you having to set aside than if your taxes were more in line with the state or federal averages?
These are important questions as we head toward a county board election in April where an unprecedented number of seats have contested races. Find out who your candidates are and seek them out. Ask them about the county’s spending priorities (you can find details on the county’s website) and why a nearly nine-million dollar operating expense increase was needed as the county stared down a 25-percent increase in debt service expenditures (now nearing 11 million dollars).
Responsible government means being responsible to all the county residents, not just those with the ability to navigate such spending without much sacrifice. Take the time this spring to do your part to help elect a fiscally responsible county board. Then vote as if your freedom depends on it, because it does.
Call to action – four ways to get involved and help ensure your local freedom!
- VOTE in the Spring election
Key dates for this year’s Spring election:
Primary – February 20-
- The RCF Political Fund will announce its Spring election voter guide on or before March 6. Sign up for RCF e-updates to stay in touch by clicking HERE. Or follow us on Facebook.
- Absentee ballots are mailed out – March 12
- Early voting – March 19
- Spring election in-person voting – April 2
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Not registered to vote, or not sure where or how to vote? Go HERE.
2. Support your local candidates!
3. Help get-out-the-vote by signing up to door-knock in key races across Rock County. Go here to SIGN UP to volunteer!
5. Tell others to go out and vote, and share the Spring election voter guide with them!
