STATE BUDGET DOESN'T TOUCH USE VALUE
Friday, June 26th, 2009 -- 11:18 AM
Final budget doesn't include use value assessment change.After the deal was struck, Sen. Pat Kreitlow released a statement noting a change to the use value assessment law was dropped from the compromise budget.
Earlier in the week, Kreitlow said he supported the change that appeared in the Senate version of the bill. It would have defined agricultural land for purposes of property taxation to exclude any land that is platted or zoned for residential, commercial, or industrial use.
Kreitlow said he had since concluded it needed ?further examination? after hearing from a number of farmers in his district.
Kreitlow said it remained a major priority of his to ensure use value assessment only benefits farmers.
The Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation issued a press release saying they "couldn?t be happier" the provision was dropped.
They credit Sen. Kathleen Vinehout, Assembly Speaker Mike Sheridan, Conference Committee member Rep. Mary Hubler, and a coalition of rural Assembly Democrats led by Rep. Amy Sue Vruwink for negotiating the change before the $62.2 billion spending package went to the Senate last night.
They say, while aimed at developers, the change would have ?shot a hole in the long-term? viability of use value assessment.
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