Policymakers are scrambling for solutions as Wisconsin property tax burdens continue to rise. As homeowners clamor for relief, Gov. Tony Evers (D) has proposed using $1.3 billion from the state’s surplus to buy down property tax bills. Unfortunately, the proposal does nothing to address the structural drivers of high (and rising) property taxes and, if anything, puts more pressure on them in the future. His proposal commits the state to subsidies that shift burdens rather than alleviate them.

The governor’s plan, revived from his fiscal year 2025-27 budget proposal, contains three main prongs. First, it increases state funding to local school districts beyond their revenue limit authority, reducing the amount school districts collect in property taxes. Second, it offers local governments additional aid, equal to a 3 percent levy increase, if they agree to hold their property tax levies flat. And third, it enhances school levy tax credits, reducing taxpayers’ net liability.

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