Joint Committee on Finance Indicates it will Support Governor Walker’s Proposal to Eliminate the Forestry Mill Tax
At its Wednesday, May 31st meeting, the Joint Committee on Finance (JCF) postponed a vote on the proposed elimination of the forestry mill tax but indicated that they would approve the Governor’s proposal to replace the special property tax with General Purpose Revenue (GPR) over the next two years.
Loss of the dedicated funding source that provides approximately $90 million per year would make it more difficult to fund various forestry-related activities in future bienniums where they will need to compete with other programs supported by GPR.
The Wisconsin Council on Forestry wrote to members of the JCF expressing concern over the loss of the mill tax and recommended that the mill tax be retained and that an audit be conducted to recommend how these funds be most appropriately spent. Legislators on the Committee, such as Representative Mary Felzkowski, have expressed concern about use of the funds, saying “I am 100% supportive of our state’s forestry industry but the mill tax has contributed to an account that functions as a funding source for non-forestry related programs. We need to promote more accountability and transparency in that account and use of GPR funds for forestry will help accomplish that.”
Private landowners may be interested to know that the GPR provides funding for programs such as an $800,000/year grant that offers 50% cost sharing to private landowners and the funding that supports DNR’s field and forestry staff, estimated to cost approximately $7 million out of the $89 million annual budget. Although funding will continue to be provided over the next two years, future funding will be much more problematic.
Fast Tracking of an MFL Cleanup Bill Moves Forward
A hearing was held on June 1st on Senate Bill 178 which provides a special exemption to the Managed Forest Law to allow fences to be used for dog training on closed MFL lands. A companion bill, AB 230 has already passed out of committee. These bills are being expedited to allow for an MFL renewal in 2017 for a non-profit beagle hunting club whose entry is expiring.
Note: Following passage of the comprehensive MFL changes passed last legislative session, WAFO is working with Representative Mursau and Senator Tiffany on a more comprehensive “cleanup” bill to address issues suggested by both our members and the DNR.
Find Details of Your MFL Entry in the MFL Database
Do you know all of the details of your MFL entry? Find out when your MFL participation is set to expire and other important information about your land enrolled in the MFL. Visit the Landowners Section to search by last name.