2025-2026 Legislative Bulletin | |
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The League's 2025-2026 Legislative Agenda
The 2023-2024 Legislative Session and 2023-2025 Biennial State Budget had many historic victories for the League of Wisconsin Municipalities’ members. By the time the Legislature adjourned, we saw the first progress in over two decades in funding for local governments, increases in transportation funding, a sizable investment in housing, funding for the emerging contaminant PFAS, and more. For a full recap of last session, revisit the July 2024 edition of The Municipality magazine starting on page 10.
The Legislature and the Governor, in coordination with the League, laid some incredible groundwork last session on matters important to cities and villages. Moving into the 2025-2026 Legislative Session, we’re looking to build on that strong foundation, and once again will partner with the state to work on addressing critical needs we’re seeing in communities of all sizes throughout the state. With new solutions that will be proposed this session comes new opportunities for population and economic growth and an increase in the quality of life for Wisconsinites.
For the 2025-2026 Legislative Session, the League has established five pillars for our Legislative Agenda. The full Legislative Agenda may be viewed on the League’s website, but in short, these five pillars include:
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Infrastructure: Municipal infrastructure is the backbone of Wisconsin communities and is utilized by millions of residents every day. While cities and villages are managing to do more with less, lists of backlogged projects are growing. Additional support is needed to improve local roads, fix the shortfall in the low-interest loan program for water and wastewater facilities, and make the PFAS Trust Fund available to communities. The state can safeguard ratepayers and taxpayers by supporting infrastructure investments in Wisconsin communities.
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Inflation: Wisconsin local governments have felt the pressure from inflation. While Act 12, last session’s shared revenue effort, has helped to alleviate some of the burden from inflation, local governments are still struggling to meet the needs of their communities. Providing small bits of flexibility to municipal funding could go a long way for cities and villages. This could include levy limit relief, exploring alternative means to fund local governments, or tying levy limit growth to a measure more reflective of local costs.
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Housing: Last session’s More Housing Wisconsin package presents a significant advancement in the involvement of local governments in encouraging more housing developments. While initial indications show success in the new programs, implementation has also presented opportunities to revisit our approach to stretch that investment even further. This includes amending last session’s bills to remove some barriers to entry, modifying tax incremental financing laws to support workforce housing, and providing regulatory flexibility to create more safe and affordable housing.
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Economic Development: Local governments play a vital role in attracting and promoting economic development and a growing workforce in their communities by providing a sense of place for residents. To expand our efforts, the state can support the recruitment and retention of local workers, increase support for efforts to attract and retain residents, and fund initiatives that drive reemployment. With an aging population and employers’ continued requests for additional staff to meet their growing needs, local government efforts are vital for a growing economy in Wisconsin.
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Community-First Decision-Making: The Wisconsin Constitution recognizes that cities and villages must have the authority and autonomy to react to their citizens’ best interests. While well-meaning solutions may be contemplated to solve a local issue, one-size-fits-all does not work well in many situations. Allowing fellow elected officials at the local level to solve the problems closest to them ensures that our state’s shared governance structure continues serving the best interests of Wisconsinites.
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These five pillars will be a large focus in the League’s government affairs efforts in the 2025-2026 Legislative Session. However, each session many other ideas emerge from members, legislators, and others engaged with local government that don’t fit neatly into our Legislative Agenda yet still deserve proper attention and support. | |
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Last session, a few examples of these ideas include 2023 Wisconsin Act 9 which increased penalties for reckless driving, Act 139 which extends aid payments for partially-decommissioned power plants, and Act 106 which allows infiltration and inflow sewer line and lateral projects to be funded through the Clean Water Fund Program.
If your municipality has an issue with a barrier in state statutes or with state agencies that could be an issue of statewide importance with other municipalities facing similar issues, please bring that to the attention of the League’s Government Affairs team. Many of these initiatives require less effort due to their bipartisan support and simple approach to fixing real, definable problems, yet these modifications can have a large impact on cities and villages. Please note, however, that if your municipality suggests an idea, you may be asked to be engaged in the process, including testifying at hearings.
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The League's First Legislative Briefing Event
Many Senators and Representatives join the Wisconsin State Legislature with backgrounds in local government service. However, the type and level of service varies widely, and many other legislators have no experience working in local government. Understanding local government is the first key to legislating in a way that cooperates with and contemplates the impacts to cities and villages. Knowledge is critical to legislating. That is why, to kick off our 2025-2026 Legislative Session efforts, the League is hosting our first ever legislative briefing event next Monday, January 27th.
This event, titled The Workings of Wisconsin’s Municipal Governments: Local Functions at a Glance, is open to legislators and legislative staff to hear from our 16 presenters representing cities and villages of all sizes throughout the state. These presenters will cover a broad range of municipal responsibilities and discuss opportunities for innovative thinking that can spur community growth.
This event is not a pitch of our Legislative Agenda. It is purely informational. Our goal is that legislators and legislative staff attending this event – both the large number of new members and staff and the more veteran members of the Legislature – better understand how local governments work and take the materials presented into account when considering proposals this session and beyond.
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State of the State and Budget Address Dates
As a reminder, Governor Evers will deliver the 2025 State of the State Address to a joint session of the Wisconsin State Legislature tomorrow, Wednesday, January 22nd, at 7:00pm. The address will be aired on TV on PBS Wisconsin and will be streamed online on WisconsinEye. Local TV networks may also air the address either live on TV or through their online streaming platforms.
Additionally, we have the date of Governor Evers’ Budget Address, which will be delivered to a joint session of the Legislature on Tuesday, February 18th. While an exact time is yet to be announced, it is typically held in the early afternoon hours. This address formally kicks off the budget cycle in the Wisconsin State Capitol with the unveiling and introduction of the Executive Budget proposal for the Legislature to consider and amend. More details on the Budget Address will be discussed in coming Legislative Bulletins.
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Emergency Rules on the Regulation of Alcohol
Reprinted from the January 16th League-El
2023 Act 73 (a plain language analysis of Act 73 is available here) substantially overhauled the regulation of alcohol in Wisconsin. The bill set staggered effective dates for certain provisions. As of January 1, many of the Act’s provisions are in effect.
The Department of Revenue has promulgated emergency rules to govern the implementation of the new laws. Emergency Rule 2419 took effect on December 14, 2024. You can read the text of the rule here.
As part of the rule making process, DOR will be accepting public comments and holding a public hearing on the rule. Written comments can be submitted to DORAdminRules@wisconsin.gov or by using this form. The public hearing will be held online on January 24, 2025 from 1:00-2:30. You can register to attend the hearing here.
Reminder: The League’s alcohol handbook has been updated to reflect the changes made by Act 73. It is available to order here.
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2025 TID/TIF Materials Available Online
The Wisconsin Department of Revenue (DOR) has updated their forms, workbook, manual, checklist, and common questions documents for 2025 Tax Incremental District (TID) creation and amendment requests. These documents may be found on DOR’s website.
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