Milwaukee County Board Chairman Lee Holloway, along with Supervisors John F. Weishan, Jr., and Gerry P. Broderick, blasted Tuesday County Executive Scott Walker’s decision to veto an advisory referendum on whether to enact a one percent sales tax dedicated to support property tax relief; Milwaukee County parks, recreation and culture programs and services; transit services and public safety.

"A large majority of the County Board approved putting this issue on the February 19, 2008, ballot. We are extremely disappointed that County Executive Scott Walker has once again prevented the public from expressing their opinion on this important issue," read a press statement released by the chairman and the two county supervisors.

"This referendum is similar in spirit to the taxpayers bill of rights, championed by Republicans in the State Legislature, which would have included a referendum on any tax increase at the State level."

"The voters should decide whether they want to decrease their overall tax burden in Milwaukee County," the press statement continued.

"This sales tax referendum would let Milwaukee County voters decide whether to collect more revenue from non-County residents who visit Milwaukee County’s attractions, but don’t pay property taxes.

"We question whether the county executive is really representing the interests of people who actually live in Milwaukee County. Perhaps that’s why he chose to have today’s news conference at a Home Depot store located on the Milwaukee-Waukesha County border."

"With this veto, the County Executive is overriding the voice of the people.

"Whether they want to vote in favor of this proposal or against it, the County Executive is barring them the opportunity to do so. We would prefer that the people decide, rather than one arbitrary person."

The Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors will consider an override of the County Executive’s veto at its next meeting, Thursday, September 27, 2007, at 9:30 a.m. in Room 200 of the Milwaukee County Courthouse.

Responding to the statements by Holloway, Weishan and Broderick, Walker said his veto goes right to the heart of the heart of an old adage: "Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me.

"The claim that by raising tax rates we will actually decrease taxes has bitten us before," Walker said. The last time we were fed that line, in 1991, the tax levy went up by 55% over the next 10 years.

"If looking out for the already overtaxed citizens of Milwaukee County, as well as local business and commerce, makes me ‘arbitrary,’ then I hope there are at least seven ‘arbitrary’ members of the board that uphold this common sense veto."