Who We Are and What We Do.

Wisconsin Property Taxpayers, Inc. (WPT) is the voice of Wisconsin’s property taxpayers in the State Capitol, working to reduce the statewide property tax burden and reform Wisconsin’s antiquated and regressive property tax system.

Founded in 1985, WPT represents the interests of thousands of commercial, agricultural and residential property taxpayers throughout the state who volunteer their financial support and personal commitment to the organization and its objectives.

WPT is the only statewide taxpayers’ organization registered with the Ethics Division of the State’s Government Accountability Board to lobby exclusively for property tax relief and reform.

WPT’s experienced government relations specialists, field representatives and technical support staff conduct a variety of activities including legislative analysis, policy and opinion research, media relations, public information and legislative liaison service, to increase public and legislative support for the organization’s public policy objectives.

WPT regularly communicates with members through personal contact, newsletters, member surveys, policy briefs and legislative action alerts.

WPT assists members in dealing with local property tax issues and answers members’ questions related to assessments, property tax exemptions, state laws and administrative rules, and provides information useful in appealing and reducing their property tax liability.

For more information about who we are, what we do, and what we have helped to accomplish over the years, click on the links below.

Our Mission

Wisconsin Property Taxpayers (WPT) is dedicated to reforming Wisconsin’s antiquated property tax laws, assuring fairness in property taxation, reducing Wisconsin’s property tax burden and increasing local taxpayer control over local tax and spending decisions.

As the voice of Wisconsin’s property taxpayers in Madison, WPT works to mobilize and protect the interests of all of Wisconsin property taxpayers in tax fairness and tax reduction; to inform our members on issues affecting their property taxes; and, to help individual members understand and address their property tax problems.

 

Lobbying Activity

WPT is one of Wisconsin’s most active lobbying organizations, ranking among the top ten in total hours spent lobbying the Legislature every session for more than a decade. Click here for the latest report on our lobbying effort.

WPT’s current Legislative efforts are focused on “Freezing” property tax increases at the rate of inflation or less, maintaining 2/3 state school funding, increasing state aid to local governments and protecting fairness (Uniformity) in property taxation. Click here to track the Legislation we’ve been working on.

 

WPT’s Legislative Successes 2011-2012

Historic Session Ends, Taxpayers Win !

Challenged at the outset by a $380 million gap between the increased cost of existing operations and projected revenues from existing taxes, 2011-2012 state budget planners had few options to recommend to the Legislature: cut spending, raise taxes, or both.  Approaching the election, WPT asked Tom Barrett and Scott Walker if they would hold the line on property tax increases at the rate of inflation adjusted for growth or less.  Both told us that they would do that.

Gov. Walker and the new Assembly and Senate did that and more. First, school aid and school spending were reduced $840+ million and local government taxes and spending were essentially frozen.  To offset the reduced revenues, the Legislature required school and state government employees to contribute more to their health and retirement benefits.  As a result of their actions, school and local government property taxes actually went down. Statewide, property taxes dropped to the lowest level they have been in fifteen years. 

   Guarantee Taxpayers Rights: Retain Local Taxpayer Control
      We asked the Legislature to continue to give local taxpayers the right to approve or disapprove exceeding state spending limits and decide how much more they can afford and are willing to pay for school and local government services, by referendum. The Legislature agreed to maintain that provision in the law.

  

 

WPT: REDUCING WISCONSIN'S #1 FAMILY, FARM, AND BUSINESS TAX

Since 1985, Wisconsin Property Taxpayers, Inc. has worked to reduce and reform Wisconsin’s #1 Family, Farm, and Business Tax Burden. Thanks to the strength of our membership, we helped to achieve success for all. 

WPT initiatives and campaigns resulting in success for Wisconsin’s Property Taxpayers include:

Homeowners and Renters Property Tax Relief Credit
WPT worked to create and increase the homeowners/renters property tax credit saving property taxpayers more than $500 million in tax relief credits since first initiated. 

Lottery Tax Credit Created
WPT worked to change the State Constitution to establish the State Lottery and fought to deliver all of the lottery’s profits – more than $200 million annually – directly to the state’s property taxpayers. 

Protecting the Lottery Tax Credit
Against overwhelming odds, WPT led the fight against the State Sports Lottery that would have diverted all or part of the lottery proceeds from property taxpayers to fund various amateur and professional sports organizations. 

School Tax Spending Controlled
WPT proposed and fought to limit school tax increases to the rate of inflation, instead of three and four times the inflation rate. 

2/3 of Statewide School Costs Removed From Property Tax Bills
WPT proposed and worked for years to remove 2/3 of the statewide school costs from the property tax bill. As a result, Wisconsin’s property taxpayers paid $511 million less in 1996-97 than the year before.

Farmland Tax Reduced
WPT worked to freeze and value agricultural land on the basis of its use instead of its speculative value for other uses. 

Farm Waste and Woodland Tax Reduced
WPT proposed and worked to value all waste and woodlands that are part of the same farmstead at half of its “fair market value” for other uses. 

Taxpayers Bill Of Rights
WPT proposed and is working to convince the Legislature to allow the people to amend the State Constitution to give local Taxpayers – not tax spenders – the right to decide how much they can afford and are willing to pay for school and local government services. 

Success For Property Taxpayers:
When WPT first began working to reduce the state's property tax burden,  property tax increases averaged up to 9.3% per year.   Thanks to school spending limits, teacher salary and benefit caps, and increased levy credits, average property tax increases dropped to 6.7% from 1995 through 2004.   In the next two Legislative Sessions, WPT asked for, and the Legislature agreed to cap school spending and local levy increases to the rate of inflation adjusted for growth; and, to increase school aid and state property tax credits to reduce the net  property tax burden.   As result, in the next four years average statewide property tax increases dropped to 3.7% - less than half the average increase in the years before we began mobilizing the state's property taxpayers to help us convince the Legislature to stop runaway spending and property tax increases.

 

Building Success for Wisconsin’s Property Taxpayers Session by Session Since 1985

In the past twenty-five years WPT has worked for, supported and helped convince the Legislature to adopt a series of property tax reduction measures, including:

1985-86

  • Homeowners’/Renters Credit refunds 6.9% of first $2,000 property taxes paid.

1987-88

  • State Lottery for direct property tax relief approved.

  • School Tax Credit raised, reducing property taxes by $23 million every year.

1989-90

  • Homeowners’/Renters Credit raised to 10%, saves property taxpayers more than $50 million every year.

  • Farmland Tax Credit reduces taxes on farmland $40 million.

  • Tax Rebate returns $179 million to property taxpayers.

1991-92

  • Lottery Tax Credit reduces property taxes $348 million.

1993-94

  • School Levy Limits, County Tax Rate Cap, Local Spending Restraints enacted. Property tax rates drop 5%, saving taxpayers $153 million.

  • Two-Year School Tax Freeze saves taxpayers $554 million.

1995-96

  • Sports Lottery defeated, protects property taxpayers against loss of lottery credit.

  • State Pays 2/3 of School Costs, reducing school tax $1.2 billion.

  • Farmland Use Value Assessment Law passes, cuts farmland tax 20%.

  • Statewide Property Tax Bill Drops $511 million!

1997-98

  • Lottery Tax Credit restored, reducing property taxes $286 million.

1999-00

  • Lottery Tax Credit increased $224 million.

  • Farmland Tax Credit increased $40 million.

  • Homeowners/Renters credit restored, increased, reducing property taxes more than $268 million every year.

2001-02

  • Farm Woodland Assessment change in budget cuts tax on woodlands that are surrounded by “agricultural land” in half.

  • 2/3 State School Funding, Levy Limits protected against budget threats.

2003-04

  • Farm Woodland Assessment expanded to include waste and woodlands that are part of the same farmstead.

  • Taxpayers Bill of Rights introduced, passes State Assembly.

2005-06

  • Budget “Freezes” Property Tax Increases at 2.6%

  • New Taxpayers Bill of Rights introduced.

2007-08

  • Budget “Freezes” property tax increases at less than 2% per year.

  • Assessment Appeals Process modified in favor of taxpayers.

  • Uniformity Clause exemptions defeated.

2009-10

  • School Revenue Increases Limited to $200 per pupil per year for the next two years.

  • Local Levy Increases Limited to 3.0% in 2009-2010.

  • Unfair Tax Amendments, Uniformity Clause exemptions fail upon adjournment for lack of consideration.
    Lottery Tax Amendment,     fails upon adjournment for lack of consideration.

Since 1968, Michael Birkley has been actively involved in developing, publicizing, and implementing public policy in Wisconsin. With more than forty years experience in the field, he is one of the state’s most experienced, knowledgeable, and effective government relations specialists. 

As WPT’s Legislative Director, Michael directs and delivers the organization’s member services, including policy research and development, taxpayer assistance, government advocacy, media and public relations, newsletters, and member communications. He works closely with members of the Administration, Legislators, other Government Officials, and public interest organizations to protect and promote WPT members’ interests in sound, fair and effective taxation policy.

From 1968 through 1976, Birkley represented the Wisconsin Association of Community Mental Health Centers and Wisconsin Association on Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse in redrafting the state’s outmoded mental health, alcohol and other drug abuse statutes. He subsequently staffed the State Council on Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse and the Senate Committees on Education, Tax Exemptions, Administrative Rules and Revenue, and served as a Policy Development Specialist performing research, analysis and legislative relations services for the Wisconsin Department of Health and Social Services. 

He was appointed by and served four Wisconsin Governors as a member and chairperson of numerous state-level advisory and policy development committees, legislative task forces and administrative rulemaking bodies. He also served as Chief Executive Officer and Lobbyist for a 4,000 member hospitality trade association and legislative spokesperson for the 35,000 member National Licensed Beverage Association, the National Waste Management Association, and the Bowling Proprietors Association of Wisconsin. (See Resume.)

An accomplished writer, award-winning public relations campaign producer, publisher, public speaker and lecturer, Michael has authored numerous research studies, reports and journal articles on a variety of public policy issues. He has appeared on behalf of clients on national network radio and television news, interview and panel-discussion programs and testified before numerous panels and committees of the U.S. Congress and the Wisconsin, Minnesota, Florida and Kansas State Legislatures.

Michael lives in Madison and has been actively involved in Capitol Community affairs as 18th Ward Alderperson; Personnel Commission Chair; PTA President; Church Choir Director; Community Theatre Manager, Actor, Director and Board Member; Mayoral and Judicial Campaign Manager and Fundraiser; United Way Board, Service Club, and Professional Society Member. 
 

Resume

EMPLOYMENT
Legislative Director, Wisconsin Property Taxpayers, Inc. 1991 – present; Contract Lobbyist, State/Federal Government and Public Relations provider; DBA: Chwat/Weigend Associates, Michael Birkley and Associates, for Wisconsin Property Taxpayers, Inc., Bowling Proprietors Association of Wisconsin, Inc., Minnesota Licensed Beverage Association, Wisconsin Chapter-National Solid Wastes Management Association, National Licensed Beverage Association and others, 1988-1991; Executive Director,Lobbyist and Chief Executive Officer, Tavern League of Wisconsin, April 1983-88; Executive Assistant, Wisconsin State Senate, Council on Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse, Senate Committees on Education, Tax Exemptions and Revenue, 1980-83;Policy Development Specialist, researcher, legislative liaison, Bureau on Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse, Wisconsin Department of Health and Social Services, 1977-80; Director, Wood County Human Services (Alcohol, Drug Abuse, Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities) 1974-77; Consulting Director, Adams County Unified (Human Services Program) Board, 1974-76; Superintendent, Norwood Health Center (Inpatient mental health, alcohol and drug abuse treatment facility) Marshfield, Wisconsin, 1976; Administrator Dane County Mental Health Center (Outpatient alcohol, drug abuse, mental health treatment facility) Madison, Wisconsin, 1968-74. 

APPOINTED, ELECTED POLICY POSITIONS (SELECTED)
Member, DNR Incinerator Ash Management Rules Technical Advisory Committee 1990-91; Member, Governmental Affairs Committee, National Licensed Beverage Association, 1985-88; Co-Chair, Wisconsin State Council on Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Task Force on Alcohol, Drug Abuse, Highway and Public Safety, 1976; Co-Chair, Wisconsin State Advisory Committee on Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse, 1973-76; Chair, Wisconsin State Drug Abuse Advisory Committee, 1971 – 1976; Chair,Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Program Standards Committee, Wisconsin Department of Health and Social Services, 1975-76;Vice-President, Wisconsin Association on Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse, 1973-76; Chair, Legislative Affairs Committee, Wisconsin Association of Community Human Services Programs, 1973-75; Chair, “Blue Ribbon” Drug Abuse Advisory Committee, City of Madison, Wisconsin, 1972; Alderperson, 18th District, City of Madison, 1970-72; Chair, City of Madison Personnel Commission, 1968-70 

FACULTY HONORS (SELECTED)
Guest Lecturer, University of Wisconsin Law School, 1980-86, University of Wisconsin School of Social Work and Center for Health Services Administration, 1970-73
Lecturer, National Conference of State Legislatures Regional Conference on Juvenile Law (the Relationship of Formal Social Policies (Laws) to Informal Social Attitudes and Behaviors) 1982
Faculty, Southern Regional Conference of Mental Health Statisticians, (NIMH), Atlanta, Georgia, 1968

 PUBLICATIONS (SELECTED)
Equalizing Tax Effort and Educational Opportunity in Wisconsin, Birkley, Michael M., Wisconsin Property Taxpayers, Inc., January 1997.
Protecting Wisconsin’s Elderly: Birkley, Michael M., Wisconsin Department of Health and Social Services, March 1982.
Alcoholic Beverage Abuse and Control:  Issues and Discussion. Birkley, Michael M.Wisconsin Department of Health & Social Services, Sept. 1979.
“The Effect of Lowering the Legal ‘Drinking Age’ on 18 Through 20 Year Old Wisconsin Drivers,” Birkley, M.M. and Quirke, M.A., in Grassroots, Oct. 1979.
Youth, Alcohol and the Law:  Issues for Public Discussion: Birkley, M.M. et al, WisconsinDepartment of Health and Social Services, August 1978.
Alcohol, Drug Abuse, Highway and Public Safety: Birkley, M.M. and Christensen, T.A.,Wisconsin Highway Safety Project 11-29 (040) 04-76 (HP), October 1976.
“Application of Census Data to the Geographic Distribution of Mental Health Services,” Birkley, Michael M., inProceedings of the Southern Regional Conference of Mental Health Statisticians, Atlanta, GA, 1969.