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EDITORIAL: Our Yankee legacy: The state should take the lead to encourage local governments in economizing.
(Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, The Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Jan. 3--Wisconsin's Yankee roots are readily evident in a new study by the Wisconsin Taxpayers Alliance that looked at the number of governmental units in the state.
The report shows that Wisconsin ranked 11th in the number of governments with 3,120 in 2007, even though the state was 20th in population and 25th in land area.
The reason for all those governments can be traced to the state's settlers, explained Dale J. Knapp, the Taxpayers Alliance research director. Many of them came from New England and brought with them the idea of town government.
There are advantages to government that is so close to the people, but it can be expensive, especially when you consider that we also have state government, county government and any number of special districts. Earlier alliance studies suggested a link between the number of governmental units and spending and the effect of that spending on taxes.
The state, which for years has collected tax dollars and redistributed them to local governments, could encourage frugality by tying a portion of shared revenue to efforts to consolidate and share services. Such a move was suggested in the 2001 Kettl Commission report, which along with the commission's other worthwhile findings, was ignored by the state Legislature.
The Legislature and local government officials can no longer afford to be so cavalier.
Wisconsin's main problem with taxes is the property tax, which is tapped by too many governments. The alliance reports that statewide, 2008-'09 property tax levies were up 5.2% for schools, 5% for the technical colleges and 3.1% for counties. Such increased burdens on property taxpayers are unsustainable.
Town government is a worthwhile tradition that promotes a close connection between the government and the governed. But it needn't be so costly. Towns or other units of government should learn to share. The example of the North Shore Fire Department in Milwaukee's northern suburbs comes to mind.
And small school districts should consider consolidation where appropriate, as Park Falls and Glidden, two North Woods districts, recently voted to do. As dollars become tighter, as school enrollments decline, such actions are prudent.
Tradition is fine. Frugality is essential.
To see more of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.jsonline.com.
Copyright (c) 2009, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.
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