Walker should apply this one budget trick to himself, too

Walker's budget includes an obscure provision - - creates sec. 74.09(3)(de) - - that would require local governments to selected include per-taxpayer-cost information along with annually property tax bills mailings - - specifically about the impact of local borrowing.

The goal, camouflaged in the virtues of transparency lacking everywhere in Walker's political career, is meant to ratchet up the pressure from taxpayers on mayors, council members and other local officials whom Walker wants resentment voters to hammer.

Well, why not require that the same information be provided showing the impact of Walker's proposed $1.3 billion transportation (read: "roads") borrowing?

Here's what Walker wants put before local property taxpayers: why shouldn't taxpayers see what the Walker budget is also costing them in big borrowing costs:

1. The amount of the debt service from bonds issued by each taxing jurisdiction and the taxpayer's proportionate share of that amount.  

2. The amount of any fees or charges assessed by each taxing jurisdiction that is collected in the tax levy and the taxpayer's proportionate share of that amount.  

3. The amount of the taxes levied for the maintenance and operation of each county, city, village, town, school district, and technical college district where the property is located.   

4. The amount of the taxes levied to pay for all of the following:

a. The redemption charges on any bonded indebtedness or other long−term obligation incurred by each taxing jurisdiction where the property is located.

b. Additional amounts levied pursuant to a referendum to exceed a tax levy limitation of a taxing jurisdiction where the property is located. 

c. The maintenance and operation of any taxing jurisdiction where the property is located, other than the jurisdictions described in subd. 3.