State Back in the Black, Communities Want Their Cut

Now that the state’s finances are projected to be back in the black under Gov. Scott Walker, organizations are lining up to receive their cut after sharing the sacrifice.

The League of Wisconsin Municipalities sent a letter to the governor Tuesday requesting a portion of the projected surplus be returned to provide property tax relief.

Municipalities took a $100 million hit in the current state budget to alleviate the state’s fiscal problems. However, the state announced that tax revenues are projected to come in $126.6 million higher than anticipated. The League of Municipalities contends the state’s recovery wouldn’t have occurred without investment in economic development and infrastructure at the local level.

“(Gov. Walker) recently said that the next state budget will focus on creating jobs and investing in infrastructure,” said League President Lee Meyerhofer. “Municipal officials share this goal, but to accomplish it the state must reinvest a portion of its revenue growth in cities and villages to spur further job creation and put Wisconsin on the road to permanent financial stability.”

The group is asking Walker to restore the $48 million portion slashed from the state’s shared revenue program. It would  like the cuts restored as communities move forward with 2013 budget preparations. The league crafted a resolution in 2011 urging the governor to restore the funds.