Number
010310
Version
ORIGINAL
Reference
Sponsor
ALD. PAWLINSKI
Title
Resolution directing the Department of Administration - Intergovernmental Relations Division to seek introduction and passage of legislation to permit cities with professional sports facilities to levy taxes against the incomes of visiting professional athletes.
Analysis
This resolution directs the Department of Administration - Intergovernmental Relations Division to seek introduction and passage of legislation permitting Wisconsin cities with professional sports facilities to levy taxes against the incomes of visiting professional athletes. Such a tax is currently prohibited by s. 66.0611, Wis. Stats.
Body
Whereas, Cities throughout Wisconsin are currently prohibited, pursuant to s. 66.0611, Wis. Stats., from levying taxes on or measured by income; and
Whereas, Cities like Milwaukee and Green Bay spend tens of thousands of dollars every year to provide direct and indirect support for professional sports facilities placing a significant burden on local tax-payers, many of whom do not even attend sporting events; and
Whereas, This public subsidy of sports facilities greatly benefits the professional athletes who appear at these facilities, enabling them to earn salaries that can and do reach millions of dollars every year; and
Whereas, Other communities, notably Cleveland and Cincinnati, have used taxes levied on the incomes of visiting professional athletes - incomes earned while in those cities -- to help defray some of the costs of subsidizing these facilities; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, By the Common Council of the City of Milwaukee, that the Department of Administration - Intergovernmental Relations Division, is directed to seek introduction and passage of legislation that would permit cities with professional sports facilities to levy taxes against the incomes of visiting professional athletes.
Requestor
Drafter
LRB01244-1
jro
06/05/01