THE 2019-2020 SESSION BEGINS
The 2019-2020 legislative session begins today with the swearing in of the new Legislature and a new Governor.

An article previewing the challenges and opportunities we anticipate for municipalities this session was published in the January issue of the Municipality magazine and is posted on the League's website.

The League's Board of Directors has adopted an aggressive Legislative Agenda for the 2019-2020 session.
STUDY COMMITTEE ON PROPERTY TAX ASSESSMENTS MEETS JANUARY 9

The dark store study committee meets for what is likely its last time on Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. in the State Capitol to consider 5 bill drafts. Two bill drafts, LRB-0394/2 and LRB-0485/3 are discussed in a Legislative Council staff memo dated January 2, 2019. Three other bill drafts, LRB-0484/1, LRB-1141/1, and LRB-1143/1, are alternative versions of the "procedural" bill the committee considered at its last meeting. None of these drafts resolve the dark store or Walgreens issues, but make changes to the tax assessment process that are generally positive.

LRB-0484/1 is the version discussed at the last meeting.

LRB 1141/1 includes changes to that bill sought by Wisconsin Manufacturing and Commerce (WMC) consulting tax attorney Don Millis. (See p. 3, lines 23-24.)

LRB-1143/1 includes changes suggested by municipal tax lawyer Amy Seibel. (See especially sections 3,4, and 5.)
GOVERNOR EVERS COMPLETES CABINET APPOINTMENTS
Last week, Governor Evers announced the remainder of his cabinet appointments. The agencies the League most frequently interacts with are DOR, DOT, DNR, DSPS, and the Department of Administration. League staff looks forward to working with the following new secretaries and their staff, many of whom have strong connections to municipal government and/or League staff:

DOR Secretary -- Peter Barca
DOT Secretary -- Craig Thompson
DNR Secretary -- Preston Cole
DSPS Secretary -- Dawn Crim
DOA Secretary -- Joel Brennan
CHAIRS OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEES NAMED
Representative Todd Novak (R-Dodgeville) will chair the Assembly Committee on Local Government this session. Rep. Novak is in his third term in the Legislature and also serves as the Mayor of Dodgeville. The League has an excellent relationship with him.

Senator Andre Jacque (R-DePere) has been selected to chair the Senate Committee on Local Government, Small Business, Tourism, & Workforce Development. Sen. Jacque is in his first term in the Senate but served in the Assembly for eight years. Sen. Jacque worked for the City of Green Bay prior to serving in the Legislature. The League has a strong relationship with Sen. Jacque. 
IN THE NEWS 

As Big Retailers Seek to Cut Their Tax Bills, Cities Bear the Brunt
Wauwatosa, Wis - With astonishing range and rapidity, big-box retailers and corporate giants are using an aggressive legal tactic to shrink their property tax bills, a strategy that is costing local governments and school districts around the country hundreds of millions of dollars in lost revenue." Read the article in the New York Times here.

2019 Outlook: Lowes, Wal-Mart Property Tax Loophole Under Scrutiny in Wisconsin
Municipalities are also jazzed by the results from 23 local referendum votes that called on the state to eliminate the dark store loopholes. Just over 1 million voters cast votes Nov. 6, with 78.6 percent opposing dark store strategies. While the results are nonbinding, Deschane said voters clearly telegraphed their frustration to lawmakers. Read the article in Bloomberg Tax here.
BILL DRAFTS CIRCULATING FOR CO-SPONSORS

LRB 0477/1, Motor Vehicle Immobilization Devices. Current law defines “immobilization device" as a device or mechanism that immobilizes a motor vehicle by locking around a wheel (AKA the Boot), thereby making the motor vehicle inoperable. This bill creates a broad definition of “immobilization device" to allow communities to use other methods beside the Boot to immobilize a vehicle. The bill also authorizes a municipality to enter into a contract with a person that authorizes the person to immobilize motor vehicles. By Sen. Rob Cowles (R-Green Bay) and Rep. John spiros (R-Marshfield). The League supports this bill.
PUBLIC HEARINGS THIS WEEK

There are no public hearings on municipal bills this week.