Oppose Loosening Levy Limits
LEGISLATION
Senate Bill 181
This bill allows for the creation of a regional emergency medical services system, and creates a levy limit exception, effectively eliminating the opportunity for the property taxpayers to have any decision making in automatic property tax increases.
Wisconsin property taxes are the 8th highest in the nation. Housing affordability in Wisconsin is closely tied to property taxes, which can alleviate or exacerbate the financial burden on homeowners. High property taxes not only make it harder for families to afford their homes, but they also create barriers to homeownership and hinder job growth. Policies that increase property tax burdens worsen this issue, while alternative funding approaches can help maintain affordability.
Senate Bill 181 seeks to automatically increase property taxes without voter approval. Under the bill, communities that band together to create a regional emergency medical service system are automatically exempt from the strict levy limits to increase property taxes. This eliminates the voters right to decide if their property taxes should also increase.
Among Midwestern states, Wisconsin has the second highest percentage of homeowners across all income levels who are extremely cost burdened. Only Illinois ranks higher than Wisconsin.
This legislation ultimately takes away the rights of voters to have a voice in their local community while further increasing the onerous burden of property tax increases.
Loosening these limits will only make it more difficult to address Wisconsin’s affordability challenges and attract skilled workers to the state.
While ensuring access to emergency services is important, property tax increases to fund such services should be determined by voters through referendums.
From 2022 to 2024 nearly 70% voter referendums for EMS/public safety issues have been approved by voters. This importantly shows that voters are willing to increase their property taxes and can make these decisions themselves.
Wisconsinites are considered “extremely cost burdened,” with many people spending more than 50% of their income on housing, a situation worsened by the state’s reliance on property taxes.
Among Midwestern states, Wisconsin has the second highest percentage of homeowners across all income levels who are extremely cost burdened. Only Illinois ranks higher than Wisconsin.
This legislation ultimately takes away the rights of voters to have a voice in their local community while further increasing the onerous burden of property tax increases.
Loosening these limits will only make it more difficult to address Wisconsin’s affordability challenges and attract skilled workers to the state.