Posted on 01/26/2015 8:07:08 AM PST by Sideshow Bob
The Milwaukee Business Journal is reporting that Gov. Scott Walker will include a jock tax in the next budget to help fund a new Milwaukee arena project for the Milwaukee Bucks.
Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker is preparing to propose diverting revenue from taxes on NBA players for public funding of a new arena in downtown Milwaukee, sources close to the situation told the Milwaukee Business Journal.
In June 2014 Walker said in an interview with the Milwaukee Business Journal that he was studying the possibility of tapping NBA players' income tax for arena construction funding, a so-called "jock tax." Since then when asked about arena funding, Walker has said he can't make a decision until he sees the Bucks owners' plans.
In response to a Business Journal request for comment Friday, Walker's office responded by email with this statement: "The budget process is ongoing. In the coming weeks, Governor Walker will be making announcements as the budget is finalized."
Sources told the Business Journal that Walker is likely to announce his arena-funding plan before he gives his state budget address Feb. 3. The proposal is likely to face an uphill battle in the Republican-controlled state Legislature, and the Republican governor would be making a major, controversial move to back an arena supported by Milwaukee business leaders.
If the report is true, Walker is going to make a very strong effort to find a way to build a Milwaukee arena. And a showdown may be looming with Republicans in the legislature.
I really like Scott Walker. He is a personal friend. But he really pooched things on Friday.
I would have preferred that Walker had either approved the Kenosha casino or delayed his denial so that Bob Vander Plaats and other religious/political extremists couldn't use Walker's decision as a show of strength for Iowa 2016. It now paints Gov. Scott Walker - the man who stood up to and beat back powerful labor unions - as a man who is afraid to stand up to both Iowa zealots AND the corrupt Potawatomi Tribe.
While many members of Walker's Wisconsin base are disappointed or even upset at Walker's Kenosha casino decision AND its timing, there will be ABSOLUTE HELL to pay if Gov. Walker includes a "Jock Tax" in his state budget next week. This move only serves the interests of liberal downtown Milwaukee Democrats and the uber-liberal NY-based billionaire owners of the Milwaukee Bucks.
Any "Jock Tax" will immediately divert those tax monies away from their current use in the general fund. That diversion will require Walker to either cut spending or increase other taxes. Further, the concept of using state funds to subsidize NBA millionaires and billionaires is horrifying to most conservatives.
Acquiescing to the NBA's contractually mandated threat to move the Bucks if a new arena is not built further runs contrary to Scott Walker's image as a strong leader. I am astonished that Walker would kowtow to the NBA's blackmail and include it in his biennial budget.
Scott Walker is getting and listening to some really advice. And if this advice is coming because Walker is running for President in 2016, he better remember that he needs to do better in his day job as Governor of Wisconsin.
Do JR and Bobby know about this?
They wanna tax THAT now????????????.................
Bad idea.
A jock tax will result in reduced usage of jocks.
This will result in more injuries to athletes’ sensitive areas and ultimately to MORE deflated balls.
And combating deflated balls is the single most important issue facing this country right now...
Here’s a radical idea:
How about the Milwaukee Buck’s build their own arena and the government simply stay out of it all together?
Hey Scott...
I got your Jock Tax right here.
(grabbing crotch)
(lol)
Scott Walker's doing a big government thing here....not impressive. Why do politicians think just because they have money coming in that they have to spend it on something new?
When push comes to shove, they are all the same.
Does this so-called “Jock Tax” have anything to do with any kind of surtax on the incomes of the athletes involved?
If not, this is just stirring up the henhouse. To the degree to which the “jocks” contribute to the overall revenue to the state coffers, then it is perhaps altogether proper to distribute a like amount for the upkeep and retention of the sports franchise in Milwaukee, which they appear to be pretty keen on doing.
Just a line item expenditure in the budget that happens to coincide with the revenue received from a particular demographic.
Criticism for the sake of MAKING a criticism, where no real justification exists, is not at all helpful. But this is precisely the kind of allusion and innuendo that have been used on Scott Walker since he was first elected to office.
“Oh, LOOK! He is wearing red socks with white shoes, AFTER Labor Day!”
Just what the blazes does that have to do with ability to govern?
While I am opposed to any public funding of a new sports arena in Milwaukee or elsewhere in Wisconsin, this proposal seems to be a rational.
My understanding is that current revenues from NBA players will not change. Only the increased revenues will be applied to the new arena. With inflation this could be a significant contribution over the next 10 years.
The alternative if the arena is not built and the Bucks leave town, then there would be no increase in revenues and probably a substantial decrease.
Interesting concept. You want a new stadium? Get the athletes to help pay for it. I’d expand the tax to musical acts, as well.
I imagine, though, that the NAACP will declare it an unfair tax with African-Americans shouldering most of the burden.
I seem to be missing something here.
Just me, but turning down a casino proposal and going for a tax that will make NBA players pay for their own stadium is a good thing.
So why all the fuss?
Isn’t it about time those millionaires who play the game pay?
Instead of the common Joe on the street who already pay at the gate to watch those millionaire leftists play?
And since when did Free-republic become full of conservatives who think casinos are good anyway.
As I asked, “Am I missing something here?”
No, the "Jock Tax" already exists. It exists in every state that has professional sports teams. For most professions, work that is performed on a long-term basis in another state is taxable in that state. For pro athletes, any work income that is generated in that state by both home and away athletes is taxed on a proportional basis.
As an example, 50% of the work income generated by Milwaukee Bucks athletes (41 home games of an 82 game season) is subject to Wisconsin income taxation. Because the Bucks play 4 games in California - one each at the Sacramento Kings, Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers and Golden State Warriors, 4.88% (4 games of 82) of Milwaukee Bucks' athlete salaries are subject to California income taxation. This income taxation process is repeated in each state a pro athlete derives income.
Walker's proposal is to divert these already existing NBA athlete income taxes from the Wisconsin state general fund to help pay for construction of a new downtown Milwaukee Bucks arena. The argument posed by tax supporters is that if a new arena is not built and the NBA compels the Bucks to move, the State of Wisconsin will not generate the Jock Tax for the state general fund in the future.
btw, it is not known if Walker's proposed Jock Tax diversion also applies to the near-term work income generated by the minor league hockey teams and or major league indoor soccer teams that might play in the new arena. Those Milwaukee sports franchises like their current venues and have no need or benefit in a new arena.
Exactly. Bigger government is not always worse. Most stadiums have a mix of private/public money in the project because it benefits you and me (taxpayers) to have a steady stream of income coming in for years to come.
In 1993 San Antonio passed an increase in sales tax to pay for the Alamodome. $186 Million. When funding was complete, the tax was revoked. Did we ever get an NFL team? Nope. But it satisfied the Spurs enough to stay in San Antonio. and it has more than paid for itself in just Alamo Bowl benefits. 40 to 50 million dollars spent here in SA each time the Alamo Bowl is played.
Man, that’s great ball handling there.
Yes sir!
Scott Walker's doing a big government thing here....not impressive. Why do politicians think just because they have money coming in that they have to spend it on something new?
****
Exactly!
Exactly!
Or, let the Milwaukee Democrats who want a new arena to help fund it out of City of Milwaukee or Milwaukee County taxes.
Or let Milwaukee Democrats propose it during legislative consideration of the budget or as a stand alone tax proposal.
I generally am against tax hikes of any kind, but I think I make exception for the NBA players. Like it
I spoke before thinking...I thought this was a new extra tax just on the NBA players, I am for that. But I see it`s actually only diverting their current taxes.
Hey I am for taxing liberal Churches, NAACP etc
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