The Municipal Agenda for the 2019-2020 Legislative Session League Of Wisconsin 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. Gordon Hintz 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. Terry Katsma (R-Oostburg) Sen. Roger Roth (R-Appleton) Rep. Thiesfeldt (R-Fond du Lac) Rep. David Steffen (R-Howard) 2/14/2019 League of WI Municipalities 17 Other Strong Supporters of Municipalities – 2017-2018 Sen. Jerry Petrowski (R-Marathon) Rep. Todd Novak (R-Dodgeville) Rep. John Maaco (R-DePere) Rep. Mark Born (R-Beaver Dam) Rep. Gordon Hintz (D-Oshkosh) Rep. Paul Tittl (R-Manitowoc) Rep. Amy Loudenbeck (R-Clinton) Rep. Mark Spreitzer (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.