2% sales tax increase approved in Milwaukee
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58/AP) -- The Milwaukee Common Council on Tuesday, July 11 enact a city sales tax. The vote was approved 12-3.
BREAKING: Milwaukee Common Council passes the sales tax, 12-3
— A.J. Bayatpour (@AJBayatpour) July 11, 2023
The sales tax in Milwaukee will go up 2 cents per dollar next year after the Common Council voted Tuesday to raise the rate as part of a bipartisan plan to avoid bankruptcy.
City leaders who pushed for approval of the higher sales tax warned of looming deep cuts to core services, including police and fire protection.
Opponents objected to strings attached to additional state funding, including curbing spending on diversity, equity and inclusion efforts.
Milwaukee is struggling with an underfunded pension system and not enough money to maintain essential police, fire and emergency services.
Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson released the following statement on the news:
“I applaud today’s vote by the Milwaukee Common Council to enact a 2% city sales tax. In taking this action, the Council has protected Milwaukee and its residents from unimaginable cuts to library and public safety services.
We have reached a turning point in the history of Milwaukee’s municipal finances. This is certainly the most significant change in how city services are funded in more than a century.
I thank the Milwaukee Common Council members who supported this ordinance change. In particular, I offer my appreciation to Council President José Pérez who joined me on multiple occasions, in both public and private discussions with elected officials, as this state legislation was crafted. In addition, I want to thank every member of the Common Council that considered this difficult generational opportunity.
With the new revenue, Milwaukee will be positioned to improve emergency service response times. We will also be able to continue the innovative work of the Milwaukee Public Library.I anticipate signing the sales tax ordinance, file number 230357, in the coming days."