Will Gov. Scott Walker raise taxes for a new sports arena?

[Belle]

That's the big question, & he's certainly advocating for it.

As Scott Walker stood behind a podium with the backdrop "Cheaper to Keep Them" he has argued "that it will cost the state more in lost income-tax revenue if the NBA moves the team from Milwaukee than it will pay for a new downtown arena." 

Gov. Walker:  "The price of doing nothing is not zero.  It's $419 million.  It's not just a good deal.  It's a really bad deal if we don't do anything."

Is there ever a good argument for raising taxes?  I'd answer "no", we're taxed enough already.  "...none of these arguments really deal with the fundamental question of sports arenas used by millionaire athletes and billionaire owners being funded by the taxpayer. A few years ago The Atlantic released a lengthy study of the history of public funding for sports arenas and the news was great for the teams, but terrible for taxpayers. In almost all instances, the hyped promises of local revenue never matched reality and the taxpayers wound up having to swallow the losses."

Umm, Gov. Walker, when you formally announce your run for President, do you want pushing for a recent tax increase on your resume?

http://hotair.com/archives/2015/06/05/scott-walker-about-to-raise-taxes-for-a-new-sports-arena/

[libertybele]

That's the big question, & he's certainly advocating for it.

As Scott Walker stood behind a podium with the backdrop "Cheaper to Keep Them" he has argued "that it will cost the state more in lost income-tax revenue if the NBA moves the team from Milwaukee than it will pay for a new downtown arena." 

Gov. Walker:  "The price of doing nothing is not zero.  It's $419 million.  It's not just a good deal.  It's a really bad deal if we don't do anything."

Is there ever a good argument for raising taxes?  I'd answer "no", we're taxed enough already.  "...none of these arguments really deal with the fundamental question of sports arenas used by millionaire athletes and billionaire owners being funded by the taxpayer. A few years ago The Atlantic released a lengthy study of the history of public funding for sports arenas and the news was great for the teams, but terrible for taxpayers. In almost all instances, the hyped promises of local revenue never matched reality and the taxpayers wound up having to swallow the losses."

Umm, Gov. Walker, when you formally announce your run for President, do you want pushing for a recent tax increase on your resume?

http://hotair.com/archives/2015/06/05/scott-walker-about-to-raise-taxes-for-a-new-sports-arena/

I thought that WIS was running a surplus in their budget.  Why not take that money to build the arena?

[Ralph Wiggum]

I had heard that they were planning on raising the motel & car rental taxes.  Not that I necessarily approve.  Should be up to the citizens of Milwaukee.

[obumazombie]

If sports arenas are such a good deal, the smart sports franchise owners, or some other private investment firms would build them.