A Milwaukee Bucks Tax? Racine County Board Says No Way

As talk of a new sports arena for the Milwaukee Bucks takes shape, the fear of another regional tax similar to the stadium tax took root and the Racine County Board wanted to make it clear they aren't interested in entertaining a new tax, according to a story in the Journal Times.

Currently residents of Racine, Milwaukee, Washington, Waukesha and Ozaukee counties pay a .1 percent sales tax to help pay for the Milwaukee Brewers stadium until 2018. Now that the Milwaukee Bucks owner Herb Kohl is pushing for a new sports and entertainment complex, Racine County Board members fear residents could be tapped again for a new tax. 

And even though one hasn't been proposed, Racine County Board Chairman Peter Hansen told the Journal Times that the board voted unanimously to oppose any attempt to get Racine County residents to pay up. Hansen essentially said the resolution nips any notion that Racine County residents would be open to paying for another Milwaukee sports venue in the bud.

Sturtevant trustees agree. Village board members Tuesday will approve a resolution supporting the county board's vote.

"This is just is not something our residents here should have to support financially when we get little to no economic benefit," Trustee Chris Wright noted.

Copies of the approved resolution will be forwarded to Racine County Executive Jim Ladwig, state Rep. Robin Vos, R-Burlington, and state Sen. John Lehman, D-Racine.