Expanded use of Wisconsin wheel tax is a Scott Walker legacy

Current wheel tax jurisdictions

Wisconsin Department of Transportation

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 11/3/2021

The reason is simple: Wheel taxes are one of the few types of fees local governments can raise at their discretion. The [Republican-controlled] Legislature for years has kept a tight lid on how much they can increase property taxes, limiting their ability to deal with rising costs. In 2011, just four communities had wheel taxes. By early next year, that will have risen to 44, according to the policy forum.

That and Foxconn. (Buy-bye, Li'l Scooter!)

Capital Times, 4/4/2018

6/30/2019 update, "Wisconsin's latest wheel tax tally:  25 municipalities, 11 counties (Thank you, Scott Walker!)", starts here.

Related reading:
Bumpy ride: an endless quest to fix local roads in Wisconsin.  (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 4/15/2017)

In his budget bill, Gov. Scott Walker proposes using project delays and borrowing to help provide more funding over the next two years for local government projects and close a nearly $1 billion shortfall in the state's road fund.