WEEK OF DECEMBER 11, 2017
LOCAL GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS DESIGNATE "DARK STORE DAY" TO DRAW ATTENTION TO HARMFUL TAX SHIFT
 
Local Government Officials Designate "Dark Store Day" to Draw Attention to Harmful Tax Shift
 
To draw attention to a loophole utilized by big-box commercial retailers to significantly reduce their property tax assessments, local government officials have designated December 11, 2017 as "Dark Store Day."
 
Local officials statewide are calling on state legislators to stop this tax shift to other taxpayers, mainly homeowners, by scheduling a vote in January on Senate Bill 291 and Senate Bill 292, which close the dark store loophole.
 
"As local officials, we are calling on our state legislators to stop this tax shift," said WCA Executive Director Mark O'Connell. "We are requesting they schedule a vote in January on Senate Bill 291 and 292."
 
The "Dark Store Day" event is being coordinated by the League of Wisconsin Municipalities.  
STATE MEDICAID DIRECTOR RESIGNS

On Tuesday, December 5, the Department of Health Services (DHS) announced that Secretary Linda Seemeyer has accepted the resignation of Medicaid Director Michael Heifetz. Heifetz, who also serves as Administrator of the Division of Medicaid Services (DMS), is leaving the position to pursue career opportunities in the private sector.

His resignation is effective Wednesday, December 13. 
STAFFING CHANGES IN GOVERNOR'S OFFICE

On Friday, December 8, Governor Scott Walker announced the following changes to his staff:
  • Heather Smith - Medicaid Director and Administrator of the Division of Medicaid Services. Smith most recently served as Governor Walker's deputy chief of staff for budget, legislative, and intergovernmental affairs. She previously served as chief of staff to Joint Finance Committee Co-Chair Senator Alberta Darling. Smith's effective start date will be Monday, January 8, 2018.
  • Jack Jablonski - Deputy Chief of Staff, Office of the Governor. Jablonski most recently served as Governor Walker's deputy chief of staff for communications. Prior to his time in the governor's office, Jablonski served as the deputy secretary at the Wisconsin Department of Revenue and as the chief of staff to former State Senator Sheila Harsdorf.  
  • Tom Evenson - Communications Director, Office of the Governor. Evenson most recently served as Governor Walker's deputy communications director and press secretary. He has worked for Governor Walker since 2009 in various roles in government and on his 2010, 2012, and 2014 gubernatorial campaigns. 
  • Amy Hasenberg - Press Secretary, Office of the Governor. Hasenberg, a Wausau, Wisconsin native and graduate of the University of Wisconsin - Madison, most recently served as press secretary for Congressman Todd Rokita (IN - 04). She also served as the public information officer for the New Mexico Public Education Department under Governor Susana Martinez. Hasenberg's effective start date will be Monday, January 8, 2018.
COMMITTEE HEARINGS FOR THE WEEK OF DECEMBER 11, 2017

Note: The Committee hearings and bills listed below reflect action on legislation impacting county government.  See a complete listing of weekly hearings here.

Tuesday, December 12, 2017 

Assembly Committee on Mental Health, 11:00 a.m.
Assembly Bill 628 - referrals for subjects of alerts for missing adults and operator's license review. WCA is monitoring this bill.

Assembly Bill 629 -  uniform adult guardianship jurisdiction. WCA is monitoring this bill.

Assembly Bill 630 - dementia specialist certification. WCA is monitoring this bill.

Assembly Bill 632 - grants for Alzheimer's disease and dementia awareness and making an appropriation. WCA is monitoring this bill.

Senate Committee on Revenue, Financial Institutions and Rural Issues, 9:00 a.m.
Senate Bill 167 - the sales and use tax exemption for commercial radio and television state property. WCA opposes this bill.

Senate Committee on Economic Development, Commerce and Local Government, 10:00 a.m.
Senate Bill 534 - building and plumbing plan review and variances by cities, villages, towns, and counties for public buildings and places of employment and affecting related rules of the Department of Safety and Professional Services. WCA is monitoring this bill.

Thursday, December 14, 2017

Senate Committee on Government Operations, Technology and Consumer Protection, 10:00 a.m.
Senate Bill 459 - Department of Natural Resources rules and regulation of air pollutants. WCA is monitoring this bill.

Senate Bill 466 - prohibiting the funding and use of the Sheboygan Kohler-Andrae air quality monitor. WCA is monitoring this bill.

Assembly Committee on Ways and Means, 10:00 a.m.
Assembly Bill 361 - requiring a local referendum to impose a wheel tax. WCA opposes this bill.

Assembly Bill 735- creating a penalty applicable to a seller that continues to collect sales tax erroneously on a product after receiving two or more written notices that the product is not taxable; certification of property assessors; use of social security numbers on certain tax documents; electronic delivery of notices by the Department of Revenue; and the responsibility for fees and disbursements in garnishment actions. WCA is monitoring this bill.
UPCOMING WCA MEETINGS/EVENTS
  • December 15 - WCA Board of Directors
HOW CAN YOU FOLLOW THE SESSION WITH US?  

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If you would like to subscribe to any one of these news services, please contact Amy Dias, Office Manager at [email protected] or at 866.404.2700.
QUESTIONS?

If you have any questions about any legislative items, please feel free to contact any member of WCA's Government Affairs Team.

Kyle Christianson, Director of Government Affairs
608.663.7188
[email protected]

Sarah Diedrick-Kasdorf, Deputy Director of Government Affairs
608.663.7188
[email protected]

Dan Bahr, Government Affairs Associate
608.663.7188
[email protected]

Marcie Rainbolt, Government Affairs Associate
608.663.7188
[email protected]

Chelsea Fibert, Government Affairs Assistant
608.663.7188