EXPLAINER: Where Wisconsin governor and Republicans agree
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Democratic Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers has laid out his priorities to the Republican-controlled Legislature twice in the past month, first in his inaugural address and in more detail this week in his State of the State speech.
Some are clearly dead on arrival, but in other areas, Evers and Republicans appear willing to compromise.
Here is a closer look at where things stand:
WHERE ARE EVERS AND THE LEGISLATURE CLOSE?
Evers and the Republicans are supportive of increasing funding for Wisconsin counties, cities, towns and villages. Evers initially called for a 4% increase in funding, using the current formula, while Republicans talked about taking a new approach that would divert a portion of the state sales tax to fund local governments.
On Tuesday, Evers appeared to get behind the Republican plan in calling for using up to 20% of the state sales tax to pay for local governments. The state sales tax is 5 cents per dollar. The plan equates to using one penny from every 5 cents of the tax for local governments.
“Both sides of the aisle seemingly agree that the current system of funding local governments in Wisconsin is broken, and everyone must come to the table to find a long-term solution," the Wisconsin Counties Association, the League of Wisconsin Municipalities, and the Wisconsin Towns Association said in a joint statement. “To see our state’s top leaders work collaboratively to invest in our communities is unprecedented and will result in a stronger Wisconsin tomorrow.”
Local governments have turned to voters to approve tax increases more frequently in recent years, arguing that state funding is unable to keep up with demand for services. The shared revenue program to fund local governments, created in 1911, has remained nearly unchanged for...