A centerpiece of Chris Abele's campaign for Milwaukee County executive was a pledge to introduce a budget with no tax increases.

Abele won the April 2011 special election to replace Scott Walker, who was elected governor, and introduced his first budget on Sept. 29, 2011.

As promised, Abele's 2012 budget contains no tax increases. Under his plan, the property tax levy would remain at $269,554,701.

Whether the budget is adopted without tax hikes, however, remains to be seen.

With the county facing a $55 million budget shortfall, two county supervisors said a month before Abele submitted his budget that an increase in the property tax levy should at least be considered.

Should the County Board amend Abele's budget and raise taxes, the county executive would be forced to consider a veto in order to keep another campaign promise: "As Milwaukee County executive, Chris Abele will not raise your taxes."

The board is scheduled to adopt the 2012 budget on Nov. 7, 2011.

But for now, we rate Abele's pledge to submit a budget with no tax increases as a Promise Kept.