Walker’s handout is pandering, not planning

Gov. Scott Walker desperately wants to be rid of the state’s projected budget surplus.

But the governor’s proposed $122 million child tax credit and $50 million sales tax holiday, which passed the Assembly, now face a potentially rocky road in the Senate. That’s around $172 million that would be lost at a time when Wisconsin faces enormous shortfalls in infrastructure and school spending and other essential items.

It is absolutely good news that we have a projected surplus. But at $385 million, it represents enough to run the state’s operations for just three days. Wouldn’t the fiscally responsible thing be to hold onto that money for unexpected needs? Or, better yet, put it toward crumbling roads, bridges and dams? Why not help shore up even a little of the estimated capital expenditure gap of $836 million faced by state schools?

We like to complain about paying taxes, and the prospect of an unexpected return is always nice. But when Walker tries to sell the idea by dumping on taxes as a general concept, I object. “We cannot close the legislative session and leave (the state’s projected budget) surplus in Madison. It should be returned to the taxpayers who created it,” he said.

How disingenuous is that? By not handing out the credits, or by not holding the sales tax holiday, we’re not just making it rain on Madison. Society is based on the notion of mutual cooperation and care. We pay taxes and trust elected representatives to use that money to pay for things that are mutually beneficial.

Upgrading infrastructure and sending more money to public schools would be a great way to invest the money, with a tangible and long-lasting return on investment. Our crummy roads cost Wisconsin drivers about $637 a year in wear and tear, so there are savings for them, too. Plus, infrastructure projects are a way to create and sustain goodpaying jobs.

Rhetorically, we’ve backed ourselves into a corner on taxes. Anything with the slightest hint of “raising taxes” is lambasted by the extremist corner of the Republican Party. Even “moderates” find it toxic to propose spending on much of anything (unless it’s for insanely expensive military projects, such as the F-35 fighter jet currently slated to come to Madison if and when it’s ever flight-ready).

We would benefit from a longer view. We absolutely must make sure our government is spending wisely. But if we want to build reasonably safe, educated, prosperous communities, we have to spend money — on things such as updating infrastructure and supporting schools.

People and organizations all over Wisconsin are doing this work and poised to be far more effective if the will, and the funding, is available. Arm teachers not with guns, but with resources to support educated critical thinking. Connect towns and cities with reliable roads and bridges. Keep water clean.

We must decide that taxes are how we support ourselves and our neighbors. So Governor Walker, save your sales tax holidays and paltry handouts. We need planners, not panderers.