Milwaukee council approves sales tax hike as part of plan to avoid bankruptcy
By SCOTT BAUER
Associated Press
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The sales tax in Milwaukee will go up 2 cents per dollar next year after the Common Council voted Tuesday to raise the rate as part of a bipartisan plan to avoid bankruptcy. City leaders who pushed for approval of the higher sales tax warned of looming deep cuts to core services, including police and fire protection. Opponents objected to strings attached to additional state funding, including curbing spending on diversity, equity and inclusion efforts. Milwaukee is struggling with an underfunded pension system and not enough money to maintain essential police, fire and emergency services.
