Democrats in the Wisconsin Legislature are circulating a bill that would create a new local authority that would be authorized to issue new property tax levies.
Democratic lawmakers in Wisconsin are pushing a new bill that would allow municipalities to form emergency services districts empowered to levy property taxes, impose special charges and issue debt, according to a circulation memo obtained exclusively by The Heartland Post.
The proposal, LRB-2019/1, comes from Reps. Clinton Anderson and Lori Palmeri, along with Sen. Mark Spreitzer, all Democrats. It aims to address challenges in consolidating fire and emergency medical services amid declining volunteer numbers and increasing demands.
Under the bill, participating municipalities could create a separate district as a special-purpose government unit into which they could transfer assets, responsibilities and taxing authority. An elected board of district residents would oversee operations.
The bill’s authors argue the optional structure promotes efficiency and sustains high-quality services. But conservatives warn it opens the door to yet another layer of government bureaucracy, potentially burdening taxpayers further.
This push arrives as Wisconsin grapples with soaring property taxes, fueled by Democratic Gov. Tony Evers’ controversial 400-year veto in 2023. By striking digits from a school funding bill, Evers extended levy increases through the year 2425. The move has already driven property tax hikes to 30-year highs, with average bills jumping over 5% last year alone, straining families and small businesses amid inflation.
Opponents of the new bill call it fiscally irresponsible, arguing it ignores the pain of existing tax burdens and prioritizes government expansion over relief.
“Wisconsinites deserve tax cuts, not new ways to pick their pockets,” said one GOP aide.
