In July of this year, the State of Wisconsin government posted a record-setting four point three billion dollar budget surplus, along with another record one and three quarter billion in reserve funds. At the same time, local governments across the state have cut back on fire and EMS service, have taken to plowing the roads only when the snow is at least three inches deep, cutting back library hours or going hat-in-hand with referendums to voters to help keep the lights on in City Hall. With hard property tax levy limits and dwindling state shared revenue in place for over a decade, local governments are feeling the crunch. At its most recent annual conference, the League of Wisconsin Municipalities decided it’s had enough, and it’s time for state government to share the wealth once again. Jerry Deschane is the Executive Director for the League of Wisconsin Municipalities, and he joined Monday Buzz host Brian Standing on October 31, 2022.
