Plan To Limit School Funding Referendums Fails In Legislature

A controversial plan that would have made it harder for school districts to ask voters to raise property taxes has failed in the state Legislature.

The bill would require school districts to hold property tax referendums on regularly scheduled election days only, rather than calling for special elections. It would also require school districts to wait a year before retrying a referendum that failed.

After drawing heated testimony at public hearings in December and January, the bill failed to be called for a vote before Assembly lawmakers wrapped up their legislative session last week. Alma Superintendent Steven Sedlmayr said he’s relieved by the news.

“They dropped that bill because of pressure from people across the state,” said Sedlmayr. “And it does make you feel pretty good that the message got out about what this bill would do.”

In December, Sedlmayr testified that state funding for schools is no longer certain, and referendums allow for communities to decide whether they want to spend more or not.

Proponents said the bill would have encouraged higher voter turnout and more awareness of referendums.

In January, Assembly Speaker Robin Vos said he supports schools’ ability to ask voters to raise taxes, but added that referendums should be “regularly scheduled so there aren’t any additional costs for taxpayers if there’s no need.”

The bill’s sponsor, Rep. Michael Schraa, R-Oshkosh, was unavailable for comment.