Proposal would force local governments to ask for wheel tax in referendum

Putting a wheel tax in place locally would be a much tougher proposition under a new proposal getting a public hearing in Madison this week.

Lawmakers on Thursday argued over the plan to force local governments to hold referendums to approve a wheel tax — a vehicle tax currently used by several governments around the state to help fund road improvements — rather than simply approving it as is currently allowed under state law.

Simple idea, says bill sponsor, Republican Steve Nass.

“You gotta go to the people,” Republican Steve Nass, the bill’s sponsor, said. “There are decisions to be made on how much money you’re going to spend or how much you’re going to take from the public.

“And, if you’re going to take more money from the people that put you in office, all we’re saying is go for a referendum and ask them, ‘Do you want to be taxed more?'”

Critics complain the referendum approach takes decision making away from local units of government and limits ways to fund roads; that it’s being done in response to the cutting of local road aids by majority Republicans in Madison.

Democratic state rep. Chris Taylor doesn’t think the bill is necessary.

“If the people do not like a wheel tax, they can vote for somebody else or they can overturn it in another referendum,” Taylor said.

Twenty-five municipalities and counties have adopted a wheel tax in recent years to make up for a dwindling level of local funding coming from the state to fix roads.