David Crowley's 'Affordability' Campaign Is Contradicted by His Record of Tax and Fee Increases
Source: M.D. Kittle. "A Socialist In 'Affordability' Clothing." October 1, 2026. thefederalist.com
The Gist
The author argues that Wisconsin gubernatorial candidate David Crowley's promises to make life more affordable are hollow and hypocritical. As Milwaukee County Executive, Crowley raised sales taxes, added new fees, and increased property taxes multiple times, while the county still faces growing budget deficits—suggesting his campaign rhetoric doesn't match his governing record.
Conclusion
David Crowley's campaign promise to make Wisconsin more affordable as governor is not credible, because his actual record as Milwaukee County Executive shows a consistent pattern of raising taxes and fees, making him effectively a socialist in 'affordability' clothing.
Premises
- Crowley led an initiative that raised Milwaukee County's sales tax by 80 percent (from 0.5% to 0.9%), creating the highest combined state and county sales tax rate in Wisconsin at 5.9%.
- Crowley and the county board implemented new ride-share fees at Milwaukee-Mitchell International Airport ($3 pick-up and $3 drop-off fees) that drivers and riders ultimately bear.
- Crowley's budget proposals raised the property tax levy for three consecutive years, including a recent $12 million increase, while the county still faces a projected deficit growing from $46.7 million to $168.7 million by 2031.
- Crowley has acknowledged he shares most policy positions with avowed socialist Francesca Hong, suggesting alignment with socialist economic policies that historically have not delivered affordability.
- Crowley's campaign ads and statements lack specific policy details on how he would lower costs, despite six years in office during which he did not demonstrably lower costs for constituents.
- Crowley continues to support costly DEI initiatives like the 'Racial Equity Budget Tool,' which critics argue function as cash cows for consultants rather than tools for affordability.
Assumptions
- A candidate's past record in a comparable government role is a reliable predictor of their future performance in a higher office.
- Tax and fee increases are inherently antithetical to 'affordability' regardless of what services or infrastructure they fund.
- Policy alignment with a self-described socialist candidate implies endorsement of economically harmful socialist policies.
- DEI and racial equity initiatives necessarily detract from, rather than contribute to, government efficiency and affordability.
- Readers share the assumption that historical socialist systems have failed to deliver affordability, used here as an unexamined premise.