Citizens Against Regressive Taxes
A 1-mill property tax increase will be on the ballot this November 4. We encourage all county residents to keep Washtenaw County housing affordable and vote NO!
The Affordability Crisis is Real: The median Ann Arbor home already costs families over $1.5 million across 30 years—before this new millage. We cannot claim to prioritize affordability while simultaneously imposing another property tax hike. We must work to keep costs down across the board, not simply pile on more debt.
Needs vs. Wants: A quarter-billion-dollar tax increase is reserved for essential needs, not programmatic wants. This CTE millage is not an urgent necessity, especially since the programming is already partially duplicative of existing services and readily available through Washtenaw Community College (WCC).
Download a business card with talking points at this link.
Washtenaw Taxpayers Urge “No” Vote on WISD 1-Mil Tax Increase on November 4
Coalition Opposes Proposed WISD 1-Mil Property Tax Hike
WASHTENAW COUNTY, MI — A coalition of concerned Washtenaw County taxpayers, homeowners, and business owners has announced its strong opposition to the proposed 1-mil property tax increase set forth by the Washtenaw Intermediate School District (WISD). The group is urging all voters to vote “NO” on November 4, citing significant concerns regarding its timing and impact on the community.
Reasons for Opposition
Regressive and Unnecessary Tax
The coalition believes that the proposed 1-mil tax represents an undue burden for Washtenaw County residents, particularly those on fixed incomes and middle-class families. They point out that Washtenaw County already bears one of the highest tax burdens in Michigan, and that increasing property taxes during a period of economic uncertainty would negatively affect hardworking families and seniors.
Duplication of Services
According to the coalition, Washtenaw Community College (WCC) is already the leader in Career and Technical Education (CTE) in the region. The group argues that WCC’s agility and expertise make it the most suitable institution to provide CTE, especially in a rapidly changing technological environment. WCC already offers a wide range of career and technical education programs, including in local high schools. WISD’s request for new millage funding is an example of “mission creep” and would lead to a wasteful duplication of services that are currently being funded.
Need for Fiscal Responsibility
Recent financial challenges in local education, including a $25 million shortfall at Ann Arbor Public Schools and controversies surrounding a $1 billion bond, have heightened the coalition’s call for fiscal accountability. They also cite contentious decisions over new school designs and lawsuits related to the Thurston Nature Center as evidence of poor fiscal management, emphasizing the need for more responsible stewardship of taxpayer funds.
Commitment to Educational Opportunity and Fiscal Accountability
While the coalition supports the goal of providing strong educational opportunities for local students, they believe that the proposed millage is not the right approach. They advocate for fiscal responsibility and enhanced collaboration among educational providers to find more efficient and equitable methods for delivering CTE in local schools. The coalition urges all voters to reject the WISD 1-mil tax increase in the upcoming November election.
About Citizens Against Regressive Taxes (CART)
CART is a grassroots coalition of Washtenaw County residents dedicated to promoting educational excellence, fiscal responsibility, and a fair tax burden for all taxpayers. Vote NO on the WISD 1-mil increase this November.
“This proposal would extract a quarter billion dollars from Washtenaw County taxpayers over the next ten years for programs that students already have access to.
“For a taxable property value of $350,000, that’s $3,500 more that will be taken in property taxes over the next ten years.”
Tell your friends and neighbors to vote NO!