League of Wisconsin Municipalities
 Capitol Buzz 
January 13, 2015
Governor Walker's State of the State Address Continues Property Tax Reduction Theme, Provides no Specifics

In tonight's state of the state address Governor Walker didn't reveal many details about his plans for the next few years. He's saving the details for his budget message in three weeks. In a brief (30 minutes) message, the Governor did make the following comments that may have an impact on local government:

  • He repeated his "pledge" that property taxes in Wisconsin will be lower four years from now than they are today. He did not provide any details regarding how that will be accomplished. (It is noteworthy that he did not promise to lower income or any other taxes)
  • He asked lawmakers to approve consolidating several state agencies, including combining the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation and the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority.  The goal of the merger, in the Governor's words, is so that "resources can be shifted from overhead into economic development."
  • The governor pledged a greater emphasis on "working at the grassroots level with local, regional and private sector partners in economic development."
  • Other agency mergers include agencies that provide financial services and professional services. If this includes the Department of Safety and Professional Services, it may have an impact on various professionals who work for local governments.

We will learn more about the Governor's plans when he introduces his state budget in three weeks.