MADISON – The Wisconsin Assembly was on the floor on Wednesday to amend and pass 2023 Assembly Bill 245 (AB 245) – a bill that makes reforms to the state’s shared revenue program, provides supports to local public safety, and repeals the Personal Property Tax (PPT). Rep. Jessie Rodriguez (R-Oak Creek) issued the following reaction:
“This bill makes historic changes to local government funding in our state! We are establishing a new Local Government Segregated Account with funding totaling over $1.5 billion. The sales tax will serve as a revenue source for the segregated account, so that in the years to come, the account will grow as state sales tax collections grow.
“Local government funding is essential to core services and public safety in our communities. This deal acknowledges that by providing the largest investment in local government in a generation. Every local government across Wisconsin will receive at least a 15% increase in shared revenue. My colleagues and I are proud to be bringing forth these big, bold reforms.
“AB 245 also provides for the full repeal of the Personal Property Tax – I’m thankful to be ridding our state of this archaic tax once and for all!
“Reforming shared revenue in our state is a huge undertaking, and I applaud my colleagues Representative Kurtz and Senator Felzkowski for their leadership on this. Our leaders have been in negotiations with the State Senate and Governor Evers, so I’m optimistic that the bill will continue to move forward in the legislative process and ultimately be signed into law.”
