From WisPolitics …
— State and local taxes in 2022 totaled 9.9% of personal income, a record low that was driven by rising incomes, state caps on property taxes and an income tax cut, according to the Wisconsin Policy Forum.
That dropped Wisconsin to the 35th highest state and local tax burden — another all-time low. It continued a two-decade trend of Wisconsin falling down the rankings of the highest taxed states; in 2000, it ranked No. 3.
The new report, though, noted local property tax referendums and increases in the sales taxes for Milwaukee County and the city may halt or slow the decline.
The Wisconsin Policy Forum also noted a corresponding shift in spending as the tax burden has declined. Wisconsin in 2000 ranked eight-highest for spending on K-12 education. In 2022, it was 31st.
The 9.9% of personal income that went to state and local taxes in 2022 was down from 10.3% the year before. It was also 1.2 percentage points below the national average of 11.1% for fiscal year 2022.
The drop in the tax burden occurred even as state and local tax revenues rose 4.6% in 2022 amid inflation, according to the report. Nationally, those collections grew 12.6%. But the state implemented a reduction in the third-highest tax bracket that began in calendar year 2021, taking the rate to 5.3% from 6.27%. That helped limit the growth in government revenues.
The Wisconsin Policy Forum conducts a review of the state and local tax burden each year by looking at data from the U.S. Census Bureau, along with population and personal income figures from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
— Elections Commission Chair Ann Jacobs today will certify the results of the special election in the 8th CD won by Republican Tony Wied.
Wied, R-De Pere, has already been seated in the House.
The commission has not yet scheduled a certification of the other Nov. 5 results. The deadline to do that is Dec. 1.
— In this week’s GOP radio address, Sen. André Jacque celebrates Small Business Saturday and encourages Wisconsinites to buy local.
“Small businesses employ millions of Wisconsinites and contribute to our state’s economic strength. In every part of our state, these businesses offer the personalized service and products that big-box stores simply can’t match. Supporting them means investing in our neighbors, our communities, and our future,” the De Pere Republican says.
He says Wisconsinites should shop local on Nov. 30 to celebrate the day.
“The Wisconsin Legislature’s Republican majority is committed to fostering an environment where small businesses can continue to grow and prosper,” Jacque says. “Let’s stand together and support the hardworking men and women who make our state great.”
— In this week’s Dem radio address, Gov. Tony Evers touts his completion of his annual visit to each of Wisconsin’s 72 counties in 2024.
The Dem governor says an important part of his work is to spend time outside the state’s Capitol, connecting with Wisconsinites to “hear about the issues that matter most to them and find solutions to the challenges we face.”
“I’ve made it my goal to visit all 72 counties every year as governor, and I am proud that this year, we have wrapped up my fifth 72-county tour since taking office,” Evers says.
On this year’s tour of Wisconsin’s counties, Evers spent time with residents in their homes, businesses, schools and campuses, farms, hospitals and community gatherings. In the process, he says he was able to see the “good work happening all across the state.”
“Wisconsin will never cease to amaze me, and it’s a privilege to be your governor and to travel the state to hear your stories,” he says.
TOP HEADLINES
WPF: WI’s tax burden compared with other states hits a new low
9.9% of personal income — down from 10.3% the previous year … now has the 35th highest tax burden nationally, its lowest ranking on record. … credits rising incomes, limits on local property taxes and income taxes hitting the lowest rate ever compared to the national average [based on 2022 Census and BEA population and personal income data. Burden would have fallen even without 2021’s third income tax bracket rate drop from 6.27% to 5.3%] … personal income rose by 8.8% in Wisconsin and 9.2% nationally. Report noted “little change to the state and local tax burden in fiscal 2023 and that may flow into 2024 and 2025. Personal income growth has been relatively strong, but taxes have also grown in at least some areas … many lawmakers want to keep lowering taxes in Wisconsin while Evers and many referendum voters have sought to boost K-12 spending. Resolving that tension will be one of the largest challenges ahead in the 2025-27 state budget.”
https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/politics/2024/11/22/wisconsins-tax-burden-compared-with-other-states-hits-a-new-low/76481948007/
Dems strike deal to get more Biden judges confirmed before Congress adjourns
… [with 221 confirmed, seeking to beat Trump’s 234] a time agreement had been reached to allow for consideration of seven district court judges the week following Thanksgiving. Plus, another six district judges would be placed on the Senate executive calendar, making it possible for them to be considered on the Senate floor in December. … [plus] four circuit judge nominations awaiting a floor vote [though lacking sufficient support] … [ex-US Sen.] Russ Feingold … now president of the American Constitution Society, called the deal “extremely frustrating. All public officials need to be prepared to fight against the extremism that will come when Trump returns to office and retreating in advance is a dangerous precedent to set.”
https://apnews.com/ecef59aed90804a53d436dc154a2ee14
Ron Johnson threatens legal action to get COVID-19 vaccine data
… [letter to CMS-FDA-HHS] demanded that the agencies preserve all records referring to the development, safety, and side effects of COVID-19 vaccines, and to produce the records without redactions by Dec. 3. “While your agencies have largely ignored or failed to fully cooperate with my oversight efforts, I can assure you that your obstruction will soon come to an end. … Your agencies’ refusal to provide complete and unredacted responses and documents to my numerous oversight letters on the development and safety of the COVID-19 vaccines has hindered Congressional oversight and has jeopardized the public’s health.” … Johnson has requested full versions of three sections within a FOIA from May 2021, which the CDC so heavily redacted that no scientific data was revealed. … “What is clear from these excessive redactions, however, is a concerted effort to obscure Congress’ and the public’s understanding of your agencies’ detection of and response to COVID-19 vaccine adverse events such as myocarditis and pericarditis,” Johnson concluded … has sent more than 60 public letters to federal agencies regarding the origins and treatment of the COVID-19 virus. … demands come as the GOP-led House Energy and Commerce Committee released a report showing the Biden administration spent $900 million promoting faulty health messaging around the COVID-19 virus and vaccines.
https://nypost.com/2024/11/21/us-news/wisconsin-sen-ron-johnson-threatens-legal-action-to-get-covid-19-vaccine-data/
Dems improved against Van Orden in ’24, have better chance in ’26, experts say
Van Orden beat his challenger by about 2.8% this year, a tighter margin than in 2022. Democrats are likely to make his district a priority again in 2026, which projects to be a good year for them [because mid-terms are traditionally bad for the President’s party]
* UWL emeritus Heim: “Trump’s coattails may have made the difference … If Cooke runs in 2026, and it is more of a Democratic year, she would again be a formidable opponent. Van Orden has to avoid more gaffes and mistakes as an incumbent.”
* UWSP emeritus Miller agreed on coattails, “Without these, he could lose in two years if the Democrats have a strong candidate for governor … With Eau Claire, La Crosse, and Steven Point in the district, I think it is possible to defeat Van Orden in a future election,” disagreed on Cooke, cited “weak ads on television.”
* Cooke did not reply, but automated email response said, “While the results on election night were obviously not what we hoped, we are proud of the movement that we built, and there will be more to come.”
https://thebadgerproject.org/2024/11/20/dems-improved-against-van-orden-in-24-have
GOP Rep. Van Orden says he would vote to release Gaetz report
… [after House Ethics voted not to release] Rep. Sean Casten (D-Ill.) moved to force the committee to release its findings through a privileged resolution, which triggers a vote in the House within two legislative days if the committee doesn’t release the information.
* Van Orden on CNN said he’d vote Yes, “I think it’s very important that everybody has as much knowledge as possible so that they can make an informed decision. … If the rumors are true about Mr. Gaetz’s conduct, then there should be referrals to other agencies, and if there’s not, then there’s a whole lot of people that owe him an apology.”.
https://thehill.com/homenews/house/5001489-gop-rep-van-orden-says-he-would-vote-to-release-gaetz-report/
They came as children, made US home. Now WI DACA recipients’ future here is threatened
… Advocates have urged Congress to pass a law codifying protections … [w/Trump, GOP Congress], that is unlikely. Stephen Miller, who is set to be Trump’s homeland security adviser and deputy chief of staff, has said the administration will again try to end DACA. … Fifth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals heard arguments last month in a lawsuit over DACA, though the judges have not yet ruled. If the program is struck down and the case is appealed to the Supreme Court, the Trump administration is not expected to defend it. … having to repeatedly renew his DACA status is “both time consuming and financially consuming,” Rubio said. It costs at least $555 every two years to renew. … [Voces’] local advocacy group for young adults called Comité Sin Fronteras, or “Committee without Borders” … gathered after the election to process their thoughts and emotions aloud. … Groups like the Comité are pledging to prepare immigrants for what’s ahead. That means offering resources, but also speaking out publicly on the issue. They’re working to organize rallies and other events as Trump transitions to power. … how much success advocates will have in keeping DACA in place, or stopping families from being separated by deportation, remains to be seen.
https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/local/2024/11/22/trumps-plan-to-end-daca-means-fear-uncertainty-for-young-immigrants/76302497007/
Converting 794 To Boulevard Could Yield 3K Housing Units, $1.1B in Development
$475 million in property tax revenue, $60 million in new sales tax revenue. New analysis of Rethink 794 from urban planner Larry Witzling explores 30-yr impact of overhauling downtown freeway. … 10-block corridor would likely be redeveloped from the inside out … [starting] near the Milwaukee Public Market, while new parks could be created closer to the lake. … [WisDOT] would release two design alternatives for further study this year. One is expected to be a freeway-to-boulevard replacement [favored by Mayor Johnson], while another would be a roadway narrowing. Both are expected to yield more land for public use or private development. PDI’s Witzling, Rethink 794’s Korslin comment.
https://urbanmilwaukee.com/2024/11/21/converting-794-to-boulevard-could-yield-3000
Teamsters, national organization spar over future of Krause Funeral Home union
… Teamsters Local 344 won an election [17-6] in October 2023 to represent 26 employees at Krause Funeral Home & Cremation Services locations in Milwaukee, Brookfield and New Berlin … unable to agree on a contract. The NLRB allows decertification petitions if the year following a union’s certification passes without a contract being reached — and that’s the course taken by Krause [embalmer] Watry [assisted by National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation] … At least 30% of an employee’s co-workers must sign cards or a petition asking the NLRB to conduct a decertification election, and apparently that’s what happened … Teamsters exercised their right to block his petition and the case has been on hold since Nov. 7. … In July, the Teamsters filed an unfair labor practices complaint with the NLRB alleging the company refused to bargain in good faith and fired a pro-union employee, [union atty.] McCoy said. … anticipates that the NLRB’s next step will involve determining whether Krause engaged in unfair labor practices…. Neither the union nor the NLRB made clear the basis for allegations that led to the election block, said [NRTWF’s] Semmens. “If Teamsters union bosses are so sure they still have the favor of workers, then they should simply let the employees they claim to ‘represent’ vote.”
https://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/news/2024/11/21/krause-funeral-home-teamsters-decertification.html
WI kayaker faked his own death, fled overseas. Now he’s telling how he did it
Green Lake Sheriff Podoll at presser said Borgwardt, who abandoned his wife and three children, has been communicating with authorities daily from Eastern Europe, even telling them how he did it, but has not committed to returning home … fled because of “personal matters,” the sheriff said but did not elaborate. … suggested Borgwardt could be charged with obstructing the investigation into his disappearance, but so far no counts have been filed. The sheriff’s office said the search for Borgwardt’s body, which lasted more than a month, cost at least $35,000. … said authorities “keep pulling at his heartstrings” to return home. Christmas is coming,” Podoll said. “And what better gift could your kids get than to be there for Christmas?” More details.
https://apnews.com/fd6317cdb24bfae7c92f7933bcf47066
MarathonCo forensic pathologist could expand autopsy capacity in northern WI
‘I’ve dealt with death my whole life’: Wisconsin medical examiner works to shield families from added pain, despite staffing shortages … Crystal Schaub is chief medical examiner for Oneida, Vilas and Forest counties [and president of Wisconsin Coroners and Medical Examiners Association] … expecting a big change in her office’s capacity next year, when nearby Marathon County will transition its medical examiner’s office to a forensic pathology lab — including a physician forensic pathologist. … “She could literally service the entire northern part of Wisconsin, which is quite a few counties, and then of course her surrounding counties. It’s a game changer for us,” Schaub said. Q&A with Schaub.
https://www.wpr.org/news/forensic-pathologist-marathon-county-expand-autopsy-capacity-northern-wisconsin
TODAY’S CALENDAR
https://www.wispolitics.com/events/list/
– 9:45 a.m. – 5 p.m.: UW-Madison Elections Research Center: 2024 Election Symposium
– 11 a.m.: PSC hearing
