TP Act Apparently Not Ready for Public Consumption

The Republican “Taxpayer Protection Act” (TP Act) seems to be dying a slow death in the Wisconsin legislature. This is the same bill as the formerly named Taxpayers' Bill of Rights (TABOR).

The bill strictly limits spending on state, local and other units of government, to the degree that it could affect police and fire protection, education and more. Colorado has a version of it that has really hurt their state. Now the GOP in Wisconsin want to follow that ill-founded lead.

However, word is that there are more than enough Republicans who don’t like the measure in its current form that it may never see the light of day this year.

Further proof: The proponents are still afraid to hold public hearings on the bill. Instead, they continue to have invitation-only meetings about the bill. Hmmm…isn’t that how President Bush handles his public relations? Stacked crowds of happy people, clearly in the 37 percent that support his administration?

Senate author Glenn Grothman’s comments about the private hearing versus a public hearing?

“To be honest, we learned a lot more from the invitation-only meeting," Grothman said.

Check out the most recent Milwaukee Journal Sentinel coverage of their private meeting.

So remind me, what has the legislature done this year to help relieve your property taxes, make health care more affordable or provide ethical reform in State government?