SAMPLE RESOLUTIONS SUPPORTING MUNICIPAL ITEMS IN GOVERNOR EVERS' BUDGET POSTED ON LEAGUE'S WEBSITE
Municipalities are encouraged to pass resolutions urging the Legislature to retain several items helpful to municipalities that Governor Evers' included in his state budget proposal, AB 56/ SB 59. The League has created a state budget page on its website and posted sample resolutions supportive of the following items:




JOINT FINANCE COMMITTEE TO HOLD THREE MORE PUBLIC HEARINGS ON THE STATE BUDGET IN APRIL
JFC will hold three more public hearings on the state budget bill, AB 56/SB 59 in April at the following locations. Each hearing begins at 10:00 a.m.

April 10 -- Oak Creek -- Oak Creek Community Center, 8580 South Howell Avenue

April 15 -- River Falls -- UW River Falls University Center, Riverview Ballroom #260

April 24 -- Green Bay -- UW Green Bay University Union, Phoenix Room

TAKE ACTION : If you attend these hearings be sure to testify in support of retaining the many items helpful to municipalities included in Governor Evers' state budget proposal, including:

  • 2% ($15 million) increase in shared revenue funding.
  • Relaxation of property tax levy limits -- allowing communities to increase their levy from the prior year the 2% or net new construction, whichever is greater.
  • Addressing the State's Transportation Funding Shortfall.
  • 10% increase in General Transportation Aids funding.
  • 10% increase in Mass Transit Operation s Aids.
  • Creation of a $10 million Transit Capital Assistance Program.
  • Closing the dark store and Walgreens property tax loopholes.
  • Restoring municipal ability to use eminent domain powers to acquire land for bike and recreation paths.

Written comments can be emailed to the committee at [email protected], or sent via U.S. mail to: Joe Malkasian, Room 305 East, State Capitol, Madison, WI 53702.

Click on the button below to read the League's memo to the Joint Finance Committee commenting on Governor Evers' state budget bill.
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE HOLDING INFORMATIONAL HEARING ON COMMUNITY FIRST IMPRESSIONS APRIL 16
The Assembly Committee on Community Development is holding an informational hearing on April 16 at 1:00 in the State Capitol on creating and maintaining positive first impressions regarding your community. Committee chair, Rep. Scott Allen (R-Waukesha), has invited the following community leaders to present to the committee:

  • Robert Duffy, Oconomowoc Bureau of Economic Development
  • David DeAngelis, Administrator, Village of Elm Grove
  • James Fenlon, Administrator, Village of Little Chute
  • Mike Darrow, City Administrator of New Richmond
  • Tiffany King, Exec. Dir., Mt. Horeb Area Chamber of Commerce
  • Dena Wortzel, Wisconsin Humanities Council
  • Dr. Arijit Sen, UW Milwaukee
IN THE NEWS 

WATCH: Clintonville hopes others follow parental leave plan
The City of Clintonville is looking ahead by providing paid family leave to their full-time employees. As City Administrator Sharon Eveland said, "Family is incredibly important in this community..."

Watch on WBAY. Comment on this story on the League's LinkedIn page or on the League's Facebook page.

No liquor license issued for Fox Lake Dollar General store
"After adjournment, Mayor Tim Bednarek cited an article in the April edition of the League's The Municipality magazine as a source of information related to the denial.

In that article Julia Sherman, coordinator of the Wisconsin Alcohol Policy Project, wrote, “There is compelling research showing that clusters and over-concentrations of alcohol outlets increase alcohol-related disorder and crime in a community. The evidence is so compelling that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend limiting the number of locations that sell or serve alcohol to control alcohol-related crime and disorder in the community.” Read the full story. Comment on this story on the League's LinkedIn page.

Hundreds attend Joint Finance Committee's public hearing in Janesville
"Freitag also praised Evers’ proposal to allow counties and municipalities to raise their levy limits by 2% regardless of net new construction, an idea that Rock County Administrator Josh Smith likewise has supported.

Janesville’s net new construction rarely outpaces inflation, Freitag said, and the cumulative effect of current levy limit restrictions over time is insurmountable.

“Why are municipalities penalized for bringing jobs to our communities and growing?” Freitag asked the committee." (Emphasis added.) Read the full story Comment on the story on the League's LinkedIn page.
You can Register Now!
May 22 is Municipal Government & Utility Day
Learn more and register here .
(Use the Public Registration Button)
This event is free for Local Officials & Staff of League member municipalities.
You are invited!
Join former West Allis Mayor/State Rep Jeannette Bell, Governors Tommy G. Thompson & Jim Doyle and retired broadcaster John Colbert for a live recording of the #LocalGovMatters Podcast. Gwyn will be talking with our panel about the first 100 days of an administration.

April 10, 6:00-7:00 p.m.
The Post at the Park Premier Hotel on the Square in Madison
This podcast will be available April 11
RECENTLY INTRODUCED BILLS

AB 150, Reimbursing Municipalities Cost of Caring for Veteran Graves. Requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to reimburse cities, villages, and towns for costs incurred in the care of veterans' graves, subject to the following limitations:
1. A city, village, or town may not receive more than $5 per grave per year.
2. All cities, villages, and towns located in the same county may not receive more than a total of $10,000 under the bill per year.
By Rep. Kulp (R-Stratford). The League supports this bill. Comment to the League on this bill.

SB 149, Rehiring Retired Police Officers and Fire Fighters under the WRS. Allows a Wisconsin Retirement System annuitant who was a law enforcement officer or fire fighter to return to work with an employer who participates in the WRS, and elect to not become a participating employee for purposes of the WRS, and instead continue to receive his or her annuity. By Sen. Jacque (R-DePere). The League supports this bill. Comment to the League on this bill.
PUBLIC HEARINGS ON MUNICIPAL BILLS

AB 56/ SB 59, State Budget Bill. By Joint Committee on Finance, on Wednesday, April 10, from 10:00-5:00 at Oak Creek Community Center, 8580 South Howell Avenue, Oak Creek. See the League's memo to Joint Finance Committee members on the state budget bill, here.