As your legislator, I represent the interests of as many citizens as possible, but often two people or two groups hold opposing views on the same issue. One such issue is the value use assessment on farmland.
Value use assessment is an attempt by the Legislature to address the difficulties farmers have working the land that is assessed at a high rate. By reducing the tax on farmland, the state attempted to allow farmers a better opportunity to make a profit. Because the state did not make an equal reduction in its spending, a tax reduction for one group became a tax increase to another.
Most of those involved agree there are people abusing the tax reduction. These people are not interested in preserving farmland. I understand the situation. That is a far cry from believing I want to get rid of value use assessment. What we should focus on is those who are abusing the tax break.
It has been stated that I want to eliminate all tax exemptions on farm equipment and inputs. This is simply not true. I have stated that expanding the sales tax to cover some goods and services presently exempt should be an option. For example, why are seats in luxury boxes exempt from sales tax, while bleacher seats are taxed? Why are political ads on TV exempt, while printed political flyers are taxed?
To say that I want to tax farm equipment is a political smokescreen, a way to deceive the voters.
A last-minute reminder, I will be participating in the third candidate forum at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 22, at the Sauk Prairie High School. The fourth forum, sponsored by the Iowa County Towns Association, will be in Dodgeville at the courthouse at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 27. In addition, radio debates have been scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 29, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on WGLR, and Monday, Nov. 3 on WEKZ from 5 to 6 p.m.
Value use assessment is an attempt by the Legislature to address the difficulties farmers have working the land that is assessed at a high rate. By reducing the tax on farmland, the state attempted to allow farmers a better opportunity to make a profit. Because the state did not make an equal reduction in its spending, a tax reduction for one group became a tax increase to another.
Most of those involved agree there are people abusing the tax reduction. These people are not interested in preserving farmland. I understand the situation. That is a far cry from believing I want to get rid of value use assessment. What we should focus on is those who are abusing the tax break.
It has been stated that I want to eliminate all tax exemptions on farm equipment and inputs. This is simply not true. I have stated that expanding the sales tax to cover some goods and services presently exempt should be an option. For example, why are seats in luxury boxes exempt from sales tax, while bleacher seats are taxed? Why are political ads on TV exempt, while printed political flyers are taxed?
To say that I want to tax farm equipment is a political smokescreen, a way to deceive the voters.
A last-minute reminder, I will be participating in the third candidate forum at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 22, at the Sauk Prairie High School. The fourth forum, sponsored by the Iowa County Towns Association, will be in Dodgeville at the courthouse at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 27. In addition, radio debates have been scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 29, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on WGLR, and Monday, Nov. 3 on WEKZ from 5 to 6 p.m.
