NUMB:
000568
VERS:
ORIGINAL
REF:
XXBY:
JUDICIARY AND LEGISLATION COMMITTEE
TITL:
Resolution relating to the Governor's Blue Ribbon Commission on State and Local Partnerships and the Badger Birthright.
ANLS:
- Analysis -
This resolution declares the City of Milwaukee's support for the continued existence of state shared revenue programs that equalize the ability of local government to meet their residents' and businesses' need at stable, comparable property tax rates.
BODY:
Whereas, The coming of the Progressive Era in Wisconsin produced a huge improvement in the financing of state and local government; and
Whereas, In 1911, hundreds of confusing and dysfunctional local taxes were eliminated as part of the creation of Wisconsin's progressive income tax and the sharing with local governments of the proceeds of that tax; and
Whereas, The revenue sharing programs for local government, principally State Shared Revenue (SSR) and the Expenditure Restraint Program (ERP), ensure that communities with low equalized property value per person are nonetheless able to provide their residents and businesses with essential municipal services--police protection, fire suppression, garbage pick-up, recycling, snow plowing, street maintenance, building inspection, public health, libraries and others--at tax rates that are comparable to more affluent communities that have high property values per person; and
Whereas, Revenue sharing and tax base equalization constitute the foundation of a Badger Birthright, allowing residents of Wisconsin throughout the state, and regardless of the size or location or affluence of their community, to receive core municipal services at comparable tax rates; and
Whereas, For the City of Milwaukee, given the City's relatively low equalized property value per person, shared revenue in its various forms provides approximately $245 million and covers 35% of the City's operating budget; and
Whereas, If the Shared R...
Click here for full text