FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 15, 2011
CONTACT Representative Dean Knudson (608) 266-1526
REP KNUDSON: WHEEL TAX SHOULD REQUIRE VOTER APPROVAL
Proposed bill would require referendum for permanent tax.
STATE CAPITOL- State Representative Dean Knudson (R-Hudson) released a municipal and county “wheel tax” referendum bill on Wednesday. The bill would require voter approval before a municipality or county could impose an annual vehicle registration tax on cars and light trucks kept within their jurisdiction.
“The wheel tax is a permanent tax that deserves voter approval before being enacted,” Knudson said. “We need to give taxpayers a voice, and an increase in wheel taxes throughout the state is not what was intended when we fought to cap property taxes this session.”
Presently, municipalities and counties are free to impose an ordinance requiring the collection of a vehicle registration fee. State law does not limit the annual amount of this fee.
The cities of Milwaukee, Beloit, and Mayville along with St. Croix County currently have wheel tax ordinances.
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