Report Finds Record Support for Local Tax Increase Referenda

Thursday, November 17th, 2022 -- 9:00 AM

(Bob Hague, WRN) A new study indicates local voters are supportive of referendums to raise their taxes.

The Wisconsin Policy Forum found cities and counties held more votes to raise property taxes than in any previous year. With local governments facing budget challenges, Researcher Ari Brown expects the trend to continue.

“Should things continue to stay the same, think this is . . . the reality that we've been kind of seeing over the last 5,6,7 years or so is that these referendums are becoming more and more popular.”

The report found a total of 25 referenda passed this year, many to fund services like police and EMTs. Local voters also approved 133 school funding items across 106 districts, the second highest number ever. Local voters are supportive of referendums to raise their taxes.

The Wisconsin Policy Forum found cities and counties held more votes to raise property taxes than in any previous year. Researcher Ari Brown expects the trend to continue. “I would expect that there will be a lot more of this trend continuing where you see more and more referenda pitch to voters at the local level.”

“You know, local governments are feeling the crunch. And voters when pitched at the local level, voters have been generally willing to listen to what their local governments are telling them when they say, ‘we need more revenue to continue operating, you know, at the high level that you expect us to.’”

The report found a total of 25 referenda passed this year, many to fund services like police and EMTs.

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