Wisconsin’s “Comprehensive
Planning” Law
In 1998 those supporters of this legislation, which was drafted by Prof. Ohm of the U.W. Madison, included the Realtors Association, Wisconsin Builders Association, A Thousand Friends of Wisconsin and others. The legislation was brought to a few senate and assembly people for discussion. After reviewing the proposal, the supporters of Smart Growth were told that it would never make it out of committee and would definitely never past a legislative vote.
Two key players, Senator Chuck Chavala and Burke pushed the issue and in the eleventh hour Gov. Thompson persuaded a freshman assembly women to vote Yes to get this slipped into the biennial budget. She was told that he (Gov. Thompson) would veto it but he needed to make it look good for the record. The Republican assembly women was going to vote NO on this but changed her vote
As a result of her vote, the Smart Growth issue was slipped into the 1999/2000 biennial budget bill and Gov. Thompson did NOT veto it but signed it into existence. This was a shady deal at best and the correct course of action was usurped leaving the legislative body from examining it, discussing it, debating it and then voting on it. This was my first red flag that something was seriously wrong. By the way - those two key players Chavala and Burke are currently under 30+ felony indictments combined.
This "smoke and mirrors" technique eventually provided us with what we now refer to as Smart Growth or Comprehensive Planning - the exact law is statute 66.1001.
Wisconsin’s debt is currently almost $15 billion, that’s over $2700 for every man, women, and child living in the state. Forecasters predict another billion-dollar deficit next year. The state squandered away the tobacco settlement to ease the last budget deficit. Many people complain that property taxes are driving them out of their homes, and farms. Dane county is talking about a wheel tax. According to the Wisconsin Taxpayers Alliance the Badger State has been among the five most-taxed states in every year since 1991. So what are we doing? We’re spending millions of dollars on a plan that most people know nothing about, and probably wouldn’t agree with if they did. The law has been labeled the “Smart Growth Law”, because it’s a direct by-product of the “Smart Growth” movement that has swept across the country since the United States signed the United Nation’s “Sustainable Development Agenda 21” in 1991, in Rio de Janeiro.
Since the budget bill was passed the state has handed out over $11 million to counties and communities in grants to create their “Smart Growth” plans. Considering these grants are basically matching funds grants, these communities must have spent at least another $11 million of their local tax money to create these plans. This does not include the communities who chose not to accept state money, and therefore be locked into the states definition of “Smart” growth. For example, the city of Stoughton has spent over $80,000 of its taxpayer’s money to create a plan that is far from complete, without any state grants. Open your wallets property tax payers because it isn’t over yet.
Wisconsin's Comprehensive Planning and "Smart Growth"
Legislation Background
Smart Growth / Comprehensive Planning VS. No
Growth / Comprehensive Control by
Greg Swank- March 30, 2003
Mielke urges voters to seek
legislative change By RICK OLIVO
Wisconsin Towns Association Unity Resolution against
Comprehensive Planning
Representatives go after Smart Growth By Elizabeth Putnam
Sustainable Development, the Constitution, and what you can do
By Michael Shaw
Taylor County Board asks state to
rescind Smart Growth
Vilas County Zoning to tell North Central Regional Planning to
stay out By:
Jeff Starck
Rusk County sends a clear message to Towns Association
Alban drops out of Smart Growth By SUSAN KAMPMEIER
TWO MORE TOWNS PULL OUT OF SMART GROWTH
Price County Resolution - Asks the Governor and Legislators to
Rescind Smart Growth Law
Ruplican Party Passes Resolution
asking for the Repeal of Smart Growth