Local Government Statement on Legislation Circulated to Repeal the Personal Property Tax

The Wisconsin Counties Association and the League of Wisconsin Municipalities have issued the following statement in response to legislation circulated to repeal Wisconsin’s personal property tax:

“In recent years, there have been ongoing discussions surrounding the repeal of Wisconsin’s personal property tax. As part of these discussions, local governments have consistently maintained that any repeal must include full local government reimbursement for the loss of property tax revenues without shifting additional burden to existing property taxpayers.

In our initial review of LRB-2081/LRB-2548 circulated by Representative Kulp, Representative Knodl, Senator Stroebel, and Senator Craig, we believe this proposal appropriately addresses the financial concerns of local governments and the desire of Wisconsin’s business community to repeal the personal property tax.

Local governments appreciate the efforts of the bill authors and look forward to working with the Legislature on this plan to repeal the personal property tax while reimbursing counties and municipalities for lost revenue in order to preserve local services and infrastructure.”