MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Gov. Tony Evers says if Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes owes taxes he should pay them.
Milwaukee Deputy City Treasurer Jim Klajbor told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel newspaper last week that Barnes has failed to pay $2,225.43 in property taxes, interest and penalties for his condominium. Barnes told the newspaper that he's paying the delinquent taxes in an installment plan but Klajbor said Barnes failed to make the first installment by Jan. 31 and hasn't made any subsequent payments.
Evers and Barnes have a close relationship they forged on the campaign trail last year. The governor said Wednesday that he hasn't spoken with Barnes about his taxes but said if he owes money he should pay it.
Barnes chief-of-staff, Fred Ludwig, didn't immediately respond to an email seeking comment.
Where do we start... there have been some wild angles taken in stories lately. Security presence would obviously increase if more work is being done, a parking ticket is a rights of passage in Milwaukee, and yes, a bill sat on the refrigerator a little too long.
— Mandela Barnes (@TheOtherMandela) June 17, 2019
Deep in the story is when you find out that the Treasurer's Office was sending my tax bill to an entirely different STATE. Most people I know have bills on the counter or in the drawer, especially if you can't pay them online (which in the year of our Lord 2019 is unheard of).
— Mandela Barnes (@TheOtherMandela) June 17, 2019
We're not talking back taxes or impending foreclosure. You're far less likely to find someone WITHOUT a balance. All the "pAY uR TaXEs" trolls are werid because the alternative is not having a place to live, which would be worse than any news story.
— Mandela Barnes (@TheOtherMandela) June 17, 2019
Regardless. You miss a bill, you just pay it. Simple. Check is in the mail. Can't believe it's gotten this ridiculous. Except that I actually can.
— Mandela Barnes (@TheOtherMandela) June 17, 2019
Landlords are writing tenant laws in this state and the president still hasn't released his tax returns. It's rich, literally rich, how the people who hate taxes the most have the most to say.
— Mandela Barnes (@TheOtherMandela) June 17, 2019