NUMBER AND STATUS OF TIF DISTRICTS IN WISCONSIN
Last week, the Department of Revenue posted several reports on its web site relating to the use of tax incremental financing (TIF) in Wisconsin. The reports reveal the following:

  • In 2019 there are 1,320 active TIF districts
  • 379 are mixed-use TIDs (28.7%)
  • 313 are blight TIDs (23.71%)
  • 305 are industrial TIDs (23.11%)
  • There are 99 distressed and severely distressed TIDs (7.5%)
  • 40 of the distressed and severely distressed TIDs are industrial TIDs
LEAGUE OPPOSES TIF PROVISION IN GOVERNOR EVERS' BUDGET
Governor Evers' state budget bill includes a provision limiting the percentage of tax incremental district project costs that may be allocated for developer grants to 20 percent of total project costs. The League has joined with NAIOP, the Wisconsin Economic Development Association, and the Wisconsin Realtors Association in opposing this provision. The four groups submitted a joint memo to the Joint Finance Committee asking that the provision be removed from the state budget.

Read the joint memo here.
PARTICIPATE IN MAY 22 LOBBY DAY AND GET YOUR MILEAGE AND PARKING REIMBURSED
The League will reimburse the mileage and parking expenses for all officials and staff from member municipalities who participate in the League's Lobby Day in Madison on Wednesday, May 22.

This is the League's largest lobbying event of the legislative session. Interact face-to-face with legislators in the state Capitol and at lunch. The day begins at 9:00 and includes a legislative briefing before walking to the Capitol for legislative meetings. The day ends with lunch at Monona Terrace. Governor Evers has been invited to speak at lunch. Please join us for some or all of the day.
(Use the Public Registration Button)
This event is free for officials & staff of League member municipalities. The League will reimburse members' mileage and parking expenses.
JOINT FINANCE COMMITTEE TO BEGIN PREPARING ITS OWN VERSION OF STATE BUDGET
The Legislature's Joint Committee on Finance (JFC) will soon begin formulating its version of the state budget. Since the Republicans control both houses, the GOP holds 12 of the 16 seats on the committee. The co-chairs of the JFC, Sen. Darling (R-River Hills) and Rep. Nygren (R-Marinette), said last week they intend the JFC to be finished with the budget by mid-June. Speaker Vos has said publicly that the Legislature will pass a state budget and present it to the Governor by the end of June, which is when the current state biennial budget ends.
IN THE NEWS 

Dane Co grants would pay farmers to prevent pollution by switching from crops to grazing 
The $750,000 pilot program is designed to convert 300 acres for 15 years to protect the county’s rural character and prevent flooding.

Farmers could accept grants for switching from row crops to pastures or wildlife habitat, or by planting grassy buffer zones that could slow large volumes of rainwater that run off fields carrying contaminants and overwhelming lakes and streams. Read the article.

ICYMI-The League's Local Perspective with Gov. Tony Evers
A strong state and local partnership was a central theme of Jerry Deschane's conversation with Governor Tony Evers. In this special edition of the League's the Local Perspective, Jerry and the Governor talk about everything from why the Governor ran for the office, the state budget and the practical, gritty side of policymaking.  Watch the interview.

#LocalGovMatters covered River Falls Budget Hearing
The Wheeler Report's Gwyn Guenther was at the Joint Finance Hearing in River Falls for the latest #LocalGovMatters podcast. She interviewed City Manager Scot Simpson and local legislators asking questions about funding, dark store and transportation aids.

You can listen to it on your PC or subscribe on your favorite podcast platform. The #LocalGovMatters podcast is brought to you by the League in partnership with the Wheeler Report and the Wisconsin Counties Association.
RECENTLY INTRODUCED BILLS

SB 178/ AB 193, Authorizes local governments to adopt and use a biennial budgetary procedure. Allows municipal governing bodies the option of creating by ordinance a biennial budget process. By Sen. Kooyenga (R-Brookfield) and Rep. Gundrum (R-Slinger). The League supports this bill. Comment to the League on this bill.
PUBLIC HEARINGS ON MUNICIPAL BILLS

AB 143, Expressly authorizing a municipality to enact an ordinance prohibiting a person from engaging in massage therapy without a license from the state. By Assembly Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety on Thursday, May 2, at 11:00 a.m. in Room 225 Northwest, State Capitol. The League supports this bill.