June 4, 2015
Dear WH&LA Lodging Member:
We have a few updates for you today:
Arena Funding Deal Just Unveiled
Just minutes ago, a press conference at the State Capitol unveiled the new funding plan for the Wisconsin Sports & Entertainment District that covers the state, Milwaukee County, and City of Milwaukee portions of the $250 million funding package that will join the $250 million in contributions from the Buck's owners and former owner Herb Kohl to fund the $500 total construction estimate. Oversight will be provided by expanded responsibilities of the Wisconsin Center District. It remains uncertain whether this plan will be included in the Joint Finance Committee Budget, introduced as a separate amendment, or be separate legislation.
Governor Walker's Press Release
Milwaukee Business Journal's Press Release
Continuing Municipal Leaders Media Efforts to Bloc Room Tax Reform
In the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Opinion column today, a number of mayors from municipalities that currently retain more than 30% of their local room tax revenue for their own purposes signed on to a letter believed to be authored by Mayor Steve Ponto of Brookfield to renounce Room Tax Reform. The WH&LA issued a response this morning, but it appears that Mayor Ponto wishes to keep digging, even when his statements are dramatic and not accurate. View the current clip and ensuing comments here.
It is important to note that recent articles regarding a dramatic impact on the City of Madison are simply not correct, and WH&LA met personally with Mayor Soglin of Madison to outline how if the city is already complying with the current room tax statute, the city should be retaining less than 18% of room tax for their own purposes. The motion passed by Joint Finance Committee only places a cap on the dollars retained by municipalities if the municipality currently retains more than 30% for themselves. While the rest of the components of the motion does apply to Madison, the reduction in the city's retainings does not apply. Again, we are seeing heated arguments brought to the media without all the facts.
We are including our recent News Release for reference, should members be asked about the Room Tax Reform passed by Joint Finance last week. Please be sure to express your support of the Room Tax improvements whenever feasible and possible, as the Mayors tend to resort to dramatic descriptions about how room tax should be their money.
|