Greater Madison Chapter of AFP:
LOCAL PUBLIC POLICY

Welcome to the Local Public Policy section of the Madison AFP website!  Mike Sweitzer-Beckman is the chair of the Government Relations Committee, and he welcomes your participation and feedback!  Please check back here frequently for updated information and legislative updates on how to make the elected government work better for the fundraising profession.

Peace,

It seems that one of the pieces of legislation that most nonprofits (and their supporters and critics) are talking about lately is the proposed statewide legislation that would remove tax exemption.  Last week on Wednesday, June 17, the State Senate passed its version of the state budget and, in so doing, restored the language on property tax exemptions prepared by the Joint Finance Committee that had been previously removed in the Assembly's versions of the budget. The only changes made by the Senate to the Joint Finance language included the following:

(1) Lowered the maximum valuation for "retirement homes for the aged" from 160% of the average equalized value of residential property in the county;

(2) Required that the value of common areas in "retirement homes for the aged" be included in calculating the value of such housing; and

(3) Required that "retirement homes for the aged" be owned by a benevolent association.

The Senate and Assembly will now meet in conference committee to negotiate their different versions of the budget bill. If the language in the Senate version of the budget is retained and it is signed into law by the Governor, property tax exemption for lower-income rental housing owned by nonprofit organizations will be protected and the rent use restrictions will be removed.

Please check back here for future updates.  Two other organizations in the area are also providing updates on this matter:

Forward Community Investments – http://www.forwardci.org/

Wisconsin Nonprofits Association – http://www.wisconsinnonprofits.org/

If you would like to contact your elected officials about this matter, you can find out who represents you by visiting:

http://www.legis.wisconsin.gov/w3asp/waml/waml.aspx

With support and encouragement from the Madison chapter of the AFP, Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin (WI-02) joined the Congressional Philanthropy Caucus in the House.  The Caucus is chaired by Rep. John Lewis (D-GA) and Rep. Patrick Tiberi (R-OH), with the goal being to inform House representatives of the important role foundations play in our society, as well as to raise awareness about legislative issues that affect foundations.

Congresswoman Baldwin wrote to the AFP Madison about why she agreed to join the Congressional Philanthropy Caucus:

“Americans are renowned for their philanthropic nature.  In these difficult economic times, it’s more important than ever to maintain that spirit of giving.  I’m proud to be a member of the Congressional Philanthropy Caucus that plays such an important educational role on Capitol Hill.”

You can monitor bills in the state legislature that are important to you!  You can search for legislation based on subject matter, the bill number, or the co-sponsors.  In order to sign up for legislative tracking based on bill numbers, visit this site to set up a free account:

http://notify.legis.state.wi.us/%28xusgah45omyrz255c22p0xvw%29/Home.aspx