This post originally appeared at https://www.bootsandsabers.com/2023/07/07/milwaukeeans-rage-at-prospect-of-higher-taxes/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=milwaukeeans-rage-at-prospect-of-higher-taxes

Huh. Who knew? Perhaps they should have been this energized at the ballot box.

Scores of Milwaukee residents turned out Thursday evening to voice their opposition to a proposed 2% city sales tax just days before Common Council members are set to take a critical vote on the new revenue source.

“They’re telling us if we don’t pass the 2% sales tax then we’re going to go bankrupt. Well, then we’ll go bankrupt,” Beverly Hamilton-Williams said to applause at a town hall at Clinton Rose Senior Center, 3045 N. King Dr.

[…]

The frustration residents at the senior center expressed over the sales tax — and the bevy of changes to Milwaukee policies included in the new law that allows the city to enact it — stood in stark contrast to a smaller, more conversational town hall held at the same time by council members from the city’s south side.

[…]

Before the Steering and Rules Committee vote on June 26, Ald. Mark Borkowski raised concerns about blowback from constituents if council members were to vote to implement a sales tax that doesn’t enhance city services.

“Current services suck,” he said.