Report says over 100 bills restricting local gov. have been passed by Gov. Walker

Onalaska’s Doyle sounds off Republicans about report

A report issued last week by the Legislative Fiscal Bureau says more than 100 bills restricting local governmental control have been passed since Scott Walker became Wisconsin’s governor.  Democratic Assemblyman Steve Doyle of Onalaska says he’s concerned about the state imposing mandates on cities, counties, and schools. 

But Doyle also says referendums and bond issues are still popular.

“When you pass a referendum at the local level to increase school spending, where does that money come from?,” Doyle asked. “That’s your local property taxes.

“The governor’s office has defended many of those bills, saying that they lowered taxes on Wisconsin residents.”

Doyle would like to see less decisions made by the state.

“It’s easier to ignore what they’re saying when you’re more removed,” Doyle said. “So, I like the decisions being made at the local level, where we can come up and grab people by the collar and say, ‘What the heck were you thinking?'”

Republican leaders are being accused for passing all those laws that impose restrictions on local governments, and make communities pay for required new programs.

Doyle serves both in the legislature and on the La Crosse County board.

Rep. Assembly Speaker Robin Vos says sometimes it makes more sense to approve a statewide rule than to let local communities pass ordinances on certain issues.