The Municipal Agenda for the 2019-2020 Legislative Session

League Of Municipalities February 2019 League’s Lobby Team

Curt Gail Jerry

Most Importantly: Lobby team of municipal officials and staff -- 400 plus

2/14/2019 League of WI Municipalities 2 Split Control of the Capitol Returns

• Expect fewer laws to be passed. • Delay in State Budget being enacted. • Generally good for municipalities.

2/14/2019 League of WI Municipalities 3 A Few Observations

-GOP retains huge majority in Assembly: 63-36 and comfortable majority in Senate: 19-14

--Despite maneuverings of Lame Duck Session, the Governor controls agencies and has the largest bully pulpit.

2/14/2019 League of WI Municipalities 4 New/Old Legislative Leaders Senate leadership remains unchanged: --Maj. Leader: Sen. Scott Fitzgerald

--Minority Leader: Sen. Jennifer Shilling

2/14/2019 League of WI Municipalities 5 New/Old Legislative Leaders Assembly leadership no change: --Speaker: Rep. Robin Vos

--Minority Leader: Rep.

2/14/2019 League of WI Municipalities 6 Governor Evers’ State Budget

Transportation

Levy Limits

Shared Revenue

Dark Store/Walgreens

2/14/2019 League of WI Municipalities 7 League Priorities for the Session Strengthen Local Democracy • Restore municipal powers taken away by previous legislatures and governors • Preserve local control • Exempt municipalities from Fair Dealership Law

2/14/2019 League of WI Municipalities 8 Priorities for the Session

Diversify Local Revenue Sources; Improve Current State Aid Programs • Increase funding for shared revenue program. • Improve Expenditure Restraint Program • Fully Fund Payment for Municipal Services Program

2/14/2019 League of WI Municipalities 9 Priorities for the Session

Close Dark Store Loopholes; Restore Fairness to Property Tax System

2/14/2019 League of WI Municipalities 10 Priorities for the Session

Adjust Levy Limits for no-growth and slow growth Communities • Allow levies to grow by rate of inflation.

• Allow cities and villages under 3,000 in population an option short of referendum to exceed levy limits.

• Allow municipalities that experienced less than 2 percent growth in equalized value from net new construction for two successive years to increase their levy by 3 percent or CPI, whichever is greater.

2/14/2019 League of WI Municipalities 11 Priorities for the Session

Adequately and Sustainably Fund State- Local Transportation System • Just Fix It. • Invest in Municipal Streets. • Invest in mass transit systems. • Regional Transportation Authorities. • Protect Local Transportation Revenue Options against state Interference.

2/14/2019 League of WI Municipalities 12 Priorities for the Session

TIF Law Improvements

• Increase equalized value threshold from 12% to 18%. • Allow small communities to create a maximum of three TIDs regardless of equalized value threshold.

2/14/2019 League of WI Municipalities 13 Priorities for the Session

Remove Barriers to Cooperative Regional Service Delivery • Make it easier for neighboring communities to consolidate. • Close incorporation law loophole. • Create state funded incentives rewarding local governments that cooperate to efficiently deliver services.

2/14/2019 League of WI Municipalities 14 A Few Bills in the Pipeline

• Exempting local governments from Fair Dealership Act • Allowing community to use 75% of levy capacity savings from shared services on transportation • Allowing 3% levy increase if net new construction was under 2% for two years in a row. • Apply eminent domain caps to RDAs and CDAs

2/14/2019 League of WI Municipalities 15 Are your legislators municipal champions?

2/14/2019 League of WI Municipalities 16 The League’s 2017-2018 Municipal Champions

Sen. Rob Cowles (R-Green Bay) Rep. Rob Brooks (R-Saukville) Sen. Duey Stroebel (R-Saukville) Sen. Howard Marklein (R-Spring Green) Rep. (R-Oostburg) Sen. Roger Roth (R-Appleton) Rep. Thiesfeldt (R-Fond du Lac) Rep. (R-Howard)

2/14/2019 League of WI Municipalities 17 Other Strong Supporters of Municipalities – 2017-2018 Sen. Jerry Petrowski (R-Marathon) Rep. (R-Dodgeville) Rep. John Maaco (R-DePere) Rep. (R-Beaver Dam) Rep. Gordon Hintz (D-Oshkosh) Rep. (R-Manitowoc) Rep. (R-Clinton) Rep. (D-Beloit) Sen. Janice Ringhand (D-Evansville)

2/14/2019 League of WI Municipalities 18 How you can help?

• Stay informed about legislation by subscribing to the League’s Legislative Bulletin and Capitol Buzz.

• Offer League staff technical and real world advice on impacts of legislation.

• Testify on public hearings on legislation.

2/14/2019 League of WI Municipalities 19 The League’s Strength is in its Membership The only way to preserve local control and our revenue sources is to work together.

2/14/2019 League of WI Municipalities 20 By working together and speaking with a unified voice we can make a difference.

2/14/2019 League of WI Municipalities 21 Questions and Comments

2/14/2019 League of WI Municipalities 22