Priorities Proposed for Upcoming Legislative Session
By Tom Larson
In preparation for the upcoming 2013-14 legislative session, NAIOP-WI is in the process of developing a list of legislative priorities. The list will be used to guide NAIOP-WI’s lobbying efforts at the state level in trying to pass new laws to benefit or defeat proposals that could harm the commercial development industry.
In August, NAIOP-WI’s Public Affairs Committee (PAC) developed a preliminary list of legislative priorities in the areas of regulatory reform, tax reform and economic development. Once finalized by the PAC, the list will be taken to NAIOP-WI’s Board of Directors for final approval later this fall. However, it is important to keep in mind that the list could change once the session starts depending upon the priorities of lawmakers, changes in the commercial development industry and a variety of other factors.
Some of the proposed legislative priorities include the following:
Regulatory Reform
- Shoreland zoning after annexation/incorporation – Encourage higher density development and streamline the regulatory process by eliminating the requirement for cities and villages to adopt shoreland zoning standards (NR 115) for property newly annexed or incorporated into city/village limits
- Subdivision regulations – Revise state subdivision regulations (Wis. Stat. Ch. 236) to make it easier to divide commercial land by certified survey maps.
- Non-metallic mining – Streamline the permitting process for non-metallic mining to encourage economic development and job growth opportunities throughout the state.
Tax Reform
- Federalizing the tax treatment of real estate – Support changes to the state tax treatment of real estate by making it more consistent with federal law. The federal tax code and Wisconsin’s tax code treat real estate differently in many respects. Generally, the federal tax code is more generous than Wisconsin’s tax code in the areas such as depreciation and deduction of capital losses.
- Restructuring of the property tax system – Support structural changes to the property tax system that permanently lower property taxes, and continues to provide adequate sources of revenue to maintain high-quality schools and local services.
- State corporate income tax – Support the elimination or reduction of the Wisconsin corporate income tax (7.9%, 18th highest in the country) to further stimulate job growth and our economy.
Economic Development
- Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) – Seek changes to the WEDC to make it more focused on and responsive to the needs of private-sector, economic development industry.
- Venture capital – Support venture capital legislation that seeks to provide funding for new, start-up businesses in Wisconsin.
- B bonds – Support special assessment B Bond legislation to allow for tailored principal payments vs. level principal payments, making payments more affordable to residents and feasible for financing.
- Liquor licenses: Modify the quotas on Class B liquor licenses which are now based on the number of licenses previously issued by the municipality and the municipality’s population. Current law provides quota exceptions for a full-service restaurant that has a seating capacity of 300 or more persons.
- Eminent Domain – Oppose changes to the eminent domain laws that would further restrict the use of eminent domain for the purpose of economic development.
- Redevelopment TIF – Lower the base value of an existing TIF district when the property is demolished, accelerating the generation of new taxable value and facilitating redevelopment.
- WHEDA’s Transform Milwaukee Plan – Support and help implement WHEDA’s Transform Milwaukee plan which will focus on creating a viable industrial, residential and transportation corridor connecting the 30th Street Industrial Corridor, Menomonee Valley, Port of Milwaukee and Milwaukee Aerotropolis located south of General Mitchell Airport.
If you have questions on any of these proposals or if you have suggestions for other legislative priorities, please contact Tom Larson at tlarson@wra.org.