Advertisement There doesn’t seem to be a lot of evidence — yet — that we’ll have a
La Crosse harbor version of the Boston Tea Party any time soon.
But taxpayer watchdogs long have pointed out the pot of taxes slowly is coming to a boil, and many taxpayers/frogs are going to be badly injured by the hot water before they even realize it’s that hot.
Here’s what a few site visitors had to say:
rprp wrote: “You don’t hear the farmers complaining or the teachers. They are represented by the powerful unions that lobby for them in Madison. People writing in always mention businesses getting tax breaks and maybe they do, but the farmers are the only sector that got a huge tax break (all taxes) and passed the burden on to seniors and regular folks ...”
Boingo wrote: “I hate to say this, because they are nice to have, but the city should think about building housing on some of the many parks we have in town. Not the main ones that are used all the time, but there are many that hardly see any use all year. ...”
Ian wrote: “The problem is not so much the elected officials, but it is the unnecessary number of governmental units. ... One consolidated county government is so much cheaper, but that has not even been considered in Wisconsin. Simply consolidating the schools in La Crosse County would save major cash, though I can’t see it happening. Everyone wants to be in charge of something.”
WDJS wrote: “Why are we paying for 4-year-old preschool programs in the public schools and all-day kindergarten? It’s free daycare, and everyone knows it! Summer school enrichment programs, aka summer babysitter? Have test scores really improved from this? ... Let’s start chiseling away and demanding changes!”
kamikazefaase wrote: “The ‘party of small government’ has failed the middle and working class when it comes to taxes. While in charge, the GOP shifted the tax burden from businesses and the wealthy to the working class. Since businesses don’t pay their true fair share, the burden has fallen quite hard on the average Joe. ...”
Big Spender wrote: “Regarding the remark: ‘Huebsch acknowledged that the city of La Crosse is unique because it doesn’t have room to grow, and because about half of the property is tax-exempt.’ Translated: The existence of so many ‘corporate welfare’ TIFs and good ol’ boy exemption ‘arrangements’ means that the rich are dumping the tax burden on the middle and working classes. Regressive taxation such as this leads to tax revolt ... taxes are too high, yes, but it’s the systemic unfairness that has so many ratepayers rightly upset. ...”
stevegorescrg wrote:
“The point is that my property tax bill and those of many others in this city, county and state IS ALREADY TOO HIGH BY HUNDREDS IF NOT THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS compared to surrounding areas in Wisconsin and next door in Minnesota. ...”
The $1.8 million pothole
Given Bliss Road’s recent track record, sticker shock probably wasn’t an issue when the La Crosse Board of Public Works saw a repair price of $1.8 million.
But board members want part of the city’s $582,000 share paid by the town of Shelby, whose residents like the convenience of the Grandad Bluff route.
Here’s what visitors at www.lacrossetribune.com had to say:
2Hoots wrote: “When the street that runs through Riverside Park needs to be resurfaced, would it be safe to say that Western, UW-L and Viterbo should be asked to foot the bill? I mean, after all, it’s only college students that use the park anyway! That was sarcasm ... it’s a city street, pay up city of La Crosse!”
Moderate Republican wrote: “What is La Crosse gonna do if Shelby doesn’t pay? Not fix the road? That will look good when tourist see the flag and the building up top and ask how to get up there. We can just tell them the city of La Crosse couldn’t afford it. How embarrassing for the people of La Crosse to have to travel through Shelby to their own landmark.”
justathought wrote: “I’ve got the perfect solution. If La Crosse and Shelby just become one unit, then there’s no problem. You can call the new city La Shelby. While we’re at it, we can also annex and create La Shelby Island (formerly French Island). Maybe we head north too and create OnaLaShelby?”
farmboy wrote: “Hwy. 33 will get you to the same place. Keep Bliss Road closed and save some taxpayer money.”
By the numbers
Ten years after his death, Chris Farley remains the most popular Wisconsin actor among people who responded to our daily online poll at www.lacrossetribune.com.
Farley received 37 percent, or 651 of 1,739 of the votes. Spencer Tracy was next at 10 percent, followed by Tom Wopat at 9 percent, Fred MacMurray at 8 percent, Willem Dafoe at 7 percent, Tyne Daly at 5 percent, Orson Welles at 4 percent, Don Ameche and La Crosse’s own Charles Dierkop at 3 percent, and Ellen Corby and Gena Rowlands at 2 percent.
Tribune online editor Marc Wehrs can be reached at www.lacrossetribune.com or (608) 791-8218.
