All articles tagged with #local government funding
Florida lawmakers balk at DeSantis’ proposal to backfill local revenue losses from his property tax plan by removing a dedicated trust fund; House Speaker Sam Garrison and Senate leaders say backfill should come from regular budgeting rather than an entitlement, casting doubt on the governor’s promise of statewide relief for cash-strapped counties as the budget process moves forward.
Last year, the average homeowner paid $4,427 in property taxes, up 3.7% from 2024 and faster than the 2.7% CPI; tax bills rose in 40 states plus D.C., with Delaware up 18% and Maryland 11.6%, even as home values slipped 1.7% to $494,231. Tax hikes reflect local funding needs for schools and services, not consumer prices, and some states cut levies (Wyoming 25% cut for properties up to $1M; Montana rebates). New Jersey averages about $10,500, while West Virginia averages around $1,081. Property taxes account for roughly 70 cents of every dollar in local tax revenue.
Governor DeWine signed five bills overhauling Ohio's property tax system, primarily capping future increases and providing billions in tax relief, though at the cost of reduced revenue for schools and local governments, amid ongoing debates and a grassroots effort to abolish property taxes entirely.
Wisconsin Assembly Speaker Robin Vos has responded to criticism from Milwaukee Common Council members who have called policies contained in a local government funding bill "overreaching, micromanaging, and frankly racist." The policies in question take aim at diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives at the city and statewide. Vos has said that taxpayer dollars should not be used to push one ideology over another. The bill would allow Milwaukee and Milwaukee County to implement sales taxes by two-thirds votes of the Common Council and County Board of Supervisors instead of letting voters decide.
Wisconsin lawmakers have reached a bipartisan deal to save Milwaukee from bankruptcy by allowing the city to raise sales taxes without voter approval as part of a larger local government and K-12 schools funding plan. The GOP-controlled Legislature agreed to spending an additional $1 billion on K-12 schools, along with increasing payments to families whose children attend taxpayer-funded private voucher schools. The plan would increase funding to counties, cities, towns, and villages with under 110,000 population by at least 20%. The bill would also cut aid to communities that reduce the number of police officers and firefighters and ban public health officials from ordering businesses closed for more than 30 days.
Wisconsin Assembly Speaker Robin Vos has threatened to remove Milwaukee-related proposals from a bill aimed at boosting funding for local municipalities if a deal between legislative Republicans and Gov. Tony Evers isn’t struck this week. The bill would allow the City of Milwaukee to implement a 2% sales tax while Milwaukee County could add a 0.375% sales tax to its current 0.5% tax – but both would require voters’ approval. The funding from both additional sales taxes is considered key by Milwaukee and Milwaukee County leaders to balancing each local government’s budget following years of stagnant revenue and rising costs.