Two central Wisconsin communities have joined the growing opposition to a proposed bill that would change how cities and villages in Wisconsin spend hotel room taxes.
The city of Wausau and the neighboring village of Weston have both passed resolutions opposing the room tax bill, which is supported by the Wisconsin Hotel and Lodging Association.
Weston village administrator Daniel Guild wants Gov. Scott Walker to veto the plan.
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“This is a back-door deal by a special interest group that’s looking to advance only one particular set of interests in communities where elected officials have to balance many different interests,” Guild said.
Local communities use part of the tax revenue generated by the room tax to offset municipal services like police and fire protection to hotels right now. The change would increase the percentage of revenue that would be used for tourism promotion, and decrease the amount of money that could be used for municipal services.
The Hotel and Lodging Association says the bill would guarantee that room tax revenue is spent by local communities on tourism promotion and development. Guild argues that municipal services like police and fire protection are also vital for tourism.
More than 100 Wisconsin communities would be affected by the change.
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