MADISON, WI – Rep. Plumer released the following statement after a new local shared revenue plan was announced:
“At press conferences around Wisconsin, Assembly Republicans announced a new local Shared Revenue plan to address significant funding issues for municipalities statewide. The plan provides additional resources to municipalities for things like police, fire, EMS, transportation, and other critical functions of local government without raising taxes. It also provides a path for consolidation and innovation to reduce spending by local governments. Some of the highlights include:
- Utilizes 20% of current statewide sales taxes collected and places them into a segregated fund for local shared revenue. As sales tax revenue grows over time, so too would funding levels for local government in the segregated fund.
- Provides $227 million in new funding for police, fire, EMS, and other critical functions of local government.
- Strengthens our state’s 911 operating systems and increases funding for law enforcement officer training.
- Eliminates the personal property tax once and for all, which will help small businesses statewide.
- Creates a one-time $300 million Innovation Fund grant program to encourage local governments to consolidate certain services. This will help reduce spending by local governments and create more efficient services.
- Includes language to require maintenance of effort levels for police, fire, and EMS, penalizing municipalities that might “defund” their police.
I’ve heard from almost every municipality that I have the honor of representing, and the message has been consistent. They are being hammered by inflationary pressures and are struggling in some cases to provide basic services. The goal with this plan is to redirect existing tax revenue, support critical public safety services, eliminate the personal property tax, and give our communities a stable and sustainable path forward.”
