Gov. Evers Proposes Plan to Enhance Local Control, Bolster Local Communities’ Economic Recovery
Governor's proposal allows local leaders and community members to have a say in sales tax increases
MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers today announced his 2021-23 biennial budget proposal will include a plan to enhance local control and give communities around Wisconsin the tools they need to be successful and to make critical investments in local roads, direct services, maintenance, public safety, and public health.
“From the unexpected costs of the COVID-19 pandemic to the years of neglect and underfunding from the state, communities across Wisconsin have been under immense budgetary pressure, and they’ve been doing more with less for far too long,” said Gov. Evers. “The state should be setting the floor, not the ceiling, for local partners, and Wisconsin taxpayers should have a say in whether they want their communities to have more resources so their local government can keep providing critical services—that’s pretty simple stuff. Our proposal puts the question back in the hands of the folks best positioned to make decisions for their community—local leaders and the people who live there.”
Wisconsin’s sales tax is 5 percent. Under current law, counties have the ability to impose an additional 0.5 percent tax, along with other tools such as the premier resort area tax in certain cases. To date, 68 out of 72 counties have enacted the 0.5 percent county sales tax.
Among states imposing a sales tax, Wisconsin has the second lowest population-weighted combined state and local sales tax rate and has the lowest sales tax among its Midwestern neighbors, with Indiana at 7 percent, Minnesota at 6.875 percent, Illinois at 6.25 percent, and Iowa and Michigan at 6 percent. Among the 36 states allowing local general sales taxes, Wisconsin has the 6th lowest reliance as a percent of personal income.
More about the 1 Percent Sales Tax Proposal
- The State of Politics: The Debate Over Local Sales Taxes - Steven Walters - Feb 22nd, 2021
- Evers’ Budget Proposal Would Allow Milwaukee Sales Tax - Jeramey Jannene - Feb 12th, 2021
- WCA Applauds Governor Evers’ Sales Tax Option - Wisconsin Counties Association - Feb 12th, 2021
- MMAC Encourages Support for Evers Sales Tax Proposal - Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce - Feb 12th, 2021
- Gov. Evers Proposes Plan to Enhance Local Control, Bolster Local Communities’ Economic Recovery - Gov. Tony Evers - Feb 12th, 2021
- The State of Politics: Milwaukee Leaders Plead for 1% Sales Tax - Steven Walters - Mar 16th, 2020
- County Sales Tax Legislation Gets Hearing - Graham Kilmer - Mar 5th, 2020
- ‘Fair Deal’ Sales Tax Referendum Blocked From April Ballot - Corri Hess - Jan 30th, 2020
- Transportation: Bauman Wants 1.5 Percent Sales Tax - Jeramey Jannene - Sep 26th, 2019
- Review Board to Discuss Recent Sales Tax Proposal and its impact on Public Transit - Ald. Bob Bauman - Sep 23rd, 2019
Read more about 1 Percent Sales Tax Proposal here
More about the 2021-2023 Wisconsin Budget
- Evers’ Capital Budget Spends $2.4 Billion - Shawn Johnson and Rich Kremer - Feb 22nd, 2021
- The State of Politics: The Debate Over Local Sales Taxes - Steven Walters - Feb 22nd, 2021
- Evers Budget Restores Union Rights - Shawn Johnson - Feb 22nd, 2021
- Statement on Wisconsin Budget Proposal - Wisconsin Federation for Children - Feb 19th, 2021
- BLOC Responds to Evers’ Budget Address - Black Leaders Organizing for Communities - Feb 19th, 2021
- Gov. Evers’ Badger Bounceback Agenda Receives Bipartisan Praise, Support - Gov. Tony Evers - Feb 18th, 2021
- Americans for Prosperity – Wisconsin Responds to Gov. Evers’ Budget Proposal, Urges Fiscal Restraint - AFP Wisconsin - Feb 17th, 2021
- Senator Bradley: Scrap Governor Evers’ Budget, Start From Scratch - State Sen. Julian Bradley - Feb 17th, 2021
- Construction Business Group Supports Governor Evers’ State Budget Proposal - Construction Business Group - Feb 17th, 2021
- Gov. Evers Unveils $91 Billion Budget - Shawn Johnson and Laurel White - Feb 16th, 2021
Read more about 2021-2023 Wisconsin Budget here
Recent Press Releases by Gov. Tony Evers
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