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REALTORSŪ
Applaud Governor's Budget Plan
Date: January 22, 2002
For More Information Contact: Michael Theo or
William Malkasian
Madison - The 12,000 member Wisconsin REALTORSŪ Association today applauded Governor Scott McCallum's plan to erase the state's budget deficit without raising taxes.
"The Governor's plan is prudent, thoughtful and visionary," said REALTORŪ Chairman of the Board Matthew Miller. "Raising taxes in a recession is bad for those who want jobs, those who have jobs and those who create jobs. Governor McCallum deserves a great deal of credit for not raising taxes and for clearly articulating a way out of this budget mess without hampering future growth." Miller said his organization would be asking legislators from both parties to support the Governor's plan expeditiously.
According to REALTORŪ President Bill Malkasian, a key component of the Governor's plan is a freeze on local property tax levies. Without that provision, Malkasian says local governments will be tempted to simply increase local property taxes on homeowners and businesses in response to cuts in state aids to local governments. "When you have less money than expected, you have to spend less than expected," said Malkasian. "Local officials must now make the same hard choices Governor McCallum had to make and cut spending without raising local taxes or fees. Property taxpayers will be watching them."
The REALTORSŪ also praised the Governor for protecting key spending priorities like K-12 education, noting quality schools and smaller class sizes are among the top concerns of homebuyers. "Families looking for homes want to know about the school district," said Malkasian. "Good schools make for good neighborhoods and good neighborhoods are desirable. Beyond the obvious benefits for our children, there is a direct link between good schools and home sales."
The Wisconsin REALTORSŪ Association (WRA) will bring over 400 members from across the state to lobby on behalf of the Governor's budget plan and other real estate related matters on January 24, 2002. The WRA is one of the largest and most politically active trade associations in Wisconsin, representing over 12,000 real estate brokers, sales persons and affiliated interests statewide.
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