The Wisconsin Policy Research Institute

Thanks a Lot, Governor Doyle

By Deb Jordahl

It’s tough to be optimistic about the future of our economy these days. This is especially true for free-market conservatives who feel like they’re watching a head-on collision in slow motion and are helpless to stop it. Yet as the economy nose dives and unemployment reaches record levels in Wisconsin, Governor Doyle remains firmly committed to a course of increased taxes and regulations, which is certain to make a bad situation worse.

Governor Doyle says his new budget protects middle class taxpayers and stands up for the people who earn regular paychecks. But even if you believe the Governor is simply righting the ship by making business pay its fair share, a closer reading of the budget, which is littered with increased taxes and fees on working stiffs and punctuated with assaults on their personal freedom, is enough to drive anyone to drink.

Of course when you head out for the local watering hole, leave your cigarettes at home. Thanks to Governor Doyle, you won’t be able to smoke at Joe’s Tavern, or anywhere else for that matter. Come to think of it, you should probably leave your smokes locked up with the rest of your valuables, since the Governor’s budget raises the cigarette tax another 75 cents per pack. I know what you’re thinking, but forget about it. The Governor is not only going to make sure you pay taxes on cigarette purchases over the internet, he’s going to hit you up every time you download music, video games and movies too.

Be sure to take it nice and easy on the roads too, because the Governor and his posse will get you coming and going. First you’ll pay an extra 7 cents for every gallon of gas courtesy of Doyle’s new oil company franchise fee, but that’s not all. The same Governor, who is promoting early release for thousands of felons to save the state money, is also planning to crack down on moving violations through “photographic enforcement.” Photographic enforcement is a euphemism for hidden spy cameras, strategically placed to bust you for speeding when there’s no cop in sight. The camera simply takes a picture of your license plate and voila, you get a ticket in the mail. Did I mention Doyle is also proposing sobriety check points where police set up roadblocks and test every driver that comes through?

Speaking of photographic enforcement and public safety, Governor Doyle will continue to collect an extra $10 for driver’s licenses to cover costs associated with the federal REAL ID law, but his administration won’t use the money generated to actually implement the program. REAL ID, passed by Congress in 2005 to thwart terrorism and prevent illegal immigrants from getting licenses, requires anyone under the age of 50 to have the new license by Dec. 1, 2014 in order to board airplanes. This is great news for illegal aliens, terrorists and the special interests who want to spend the $12.5 million generated by the fee on other projects, but it really sucks if you’re just another ordinary citizen planning to get on an airplane in five years.

As an added bonus, Governor Doyle’s budget will increase the amount drivers pay for auto insurance by up to $300 per year. The measure will result in bigger payouts for personal injury lawyers, but it will also create a spike in un-insured drivers as coverage becomes cost prohibitive. That means people who are responsible enough to carry coverage and still prosperous enough to afford it, will pay even more for their insurance down the road.

Once smoking has been banned in your favorite bar and driving has become just a big expensive hassle, you’ll probably spend more time at home, and according to Doyle’s top aide, you’ll pay an extra $100 a year or more in property taxes for the privilege. But be sure to lock up your wives and daughters, because that extra money won’t be funding higher levels of service or helping to keep your family safe. In fact, Governor Doyle is slashing state aid for local prosecutors, stalling implementation of the federal sex offender registry and refusing to implement a GPS tracking system to monitor the activities of Wisconsin’s worst sexual predators.

Governor Doyle says his budget stands up for middle class taxpayers who earn regular paychecks. Thanks Governor Doyle. Thanks a lot.

-March 5, 2009

Thanks a Lot, Governor Doyle

Content on this page requires a newer version of Adobe Flash Player.