Latest news with #WisconsinDepartmentofAdministration
Yahoo
27-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Milwaukee, other Wisconsin cities that change zoning to attract housing could get state cash
Milwaukee and other Wisconsin communities seeking to attract affordable housing by changing their zoning codes could be rewarded with grants from state taxpayers. That's through a provision in Gov. Tony Evers' 2025-27 budget proposal. If approved by the Legislature, the $119 billion budget would include $20 million to encourage local governments "to adopt zoning changes that reduce barriers to the development of more affordable housing options." The Wisconsin Department of Administration would operate the program. Local governments, including tribal nations, could compete for grants by adopting one or more zoning policies. Those are reducing minimum lot sizes and widths; reducing setback requirements to allow greater use of lots; increasing allowed lot coverages to match historic patterns; adopting a traditional neighborhood development ordinance, and allowing accessory dwelling units. That's according to the budget legislation, Senate Bill 45. Evers administration representatives didn't immediately respond to the Journal Sentinel's request for more information about the zoning change program. Some of its provisions are similar to what Mayor Cavalier Johnson's administration is recommending through the Department of City Development's stalled Growing MKE proposal. City officials are pleased to see "budget initiatives that the Department of City Development has already begun to advance through our Growing MKE plan," said Madison Goldbeck, department marketing and communications officer. The city supports Evers' proposals and will work with the Legislature "to advance initiatives that provide more affordable housing options for our community," Goldbeck said, in a statement. Growing MKE needs Common Council approval. The plan's suggested zoning changes — requiring separate council approval — would lead to greater density in a city where 40% of the land is restricted to single-family homes. Growing MKE includes encouraging development of accessory dwelling units. Those are houses or apartments that share the building lot of a larger, primary home. Such ADUs are generally smaller and more affordable than traditional single-family homes. Growing MKE supporters say increased density would include such "neighborhood scale" housing as duplexes, triplexes, townhouses, cottage courts and four-unit apartment buildings. That would encourage more housing construction, including affordable units, according to the plan's supporters. Opponents believe Growing MKE would encourage absentee investor landlords to increase their ownership of central city housing — driving up rents. That opposition led to more public meetings to explain Growing MKE and seek input. It has yet to return to the Plan Commission before undergoing council review. The state budget proposal from Evers, a Democrat, will undergo review by a Legislature where both chambers are controlled by Republicans. Evers' budget would spend too much and is not realistic, according to Assembly Speaker Robin Vos. Tom Daykin can be emailed at tdaykin@ and followed on Instagram, Bluesky, X and article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Wisconsin cities could get state cash with zoning changes for housing
Yahoo
28-01-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
If Wisconsin's population shrinks, it could shake up closely divided politics
Amid the whirlwind of the incoming presidential administration, a quietly released report from the Wisconsin Department of Administration earlier this month carries profound implications for the state's political future. The Demographic Services Center within the DOA annually estimates population changes for Wisconsin's counties and municipalities. This year's report forecasts a startling trend: Wisconsin's population is expected to decline by nearly 200,000 residents over the next 25 years. This follows a decade of historically low growth, with the population increasing by only 3.6% — the smallest rise in state history. However, this demographic shift will not affect all 72 counties equally. Milwaukee County, for instance, is projected to lose nearly 10% of its population, while Dane County is poised for a 38% surge. Rural counties, meanwhile, will likely continue to experience outmigration. Politically, these shifts are significant. Dane County's growing population and high voter turnout will likely amplify its influence in statewide elections. Already a Democratic stronghold, the area could become even more critical to the party's success. Vice President Kamala Harris, for instance, outperformed Joe Biden's 2020 numbers in Dane County, where over 90% of registered voters cast ballots last fall. If newcomers to the county adopt similar voting habits, Democrats stand to gain. Yet, Republicans have also made strides in Dane County. Former Gov. Tommy Thompson emphasized the importance of competing in Madison, and Donald Trump heeded that advice, becoming the first GOP presidential candidate to campaign there since Bob Dole. Trump's efforts yielded modest gains, particularly in rural areas and among younger and minority voters — the very groups driving Dane County's population growth. If Republicans can build on these inroads while maintaining their rural strongholds, they could reshape Wisconsin's political landscape. More: Elon Musk salute ripples across US leading to Sam Kuffel in Milwaukee losing job | Opinion State legislative apportionment adds another layer of complexity. The more competitive district maps signed into law by Gov. Tony Evers in 2024 will last only until the next federal census. The redistricting process in 2032, involving the legislature, governor, and potentially the Wisconsin Supreme Court, could allow the dominant party to craft maps that favor its prospects. The aging population also presents fiscal challenges. As baby boomers retire, income tax revenue will shrink, while demand for health care and senior services will rise. Balancing these needs against investments in public education and other youth-focused programs will test lawmakers' priorities. Moreover, with the number of Wisconsinites living with dementia projected to more than double, the pressure on health care resources will be immense. Nationally, Wisconsin's declining population could cost it a congressional seat after the 2030 or 2040 Census, reducing its influence in Washington and the Electoral College. Those districts currently controlled by the GOP are most at risk, potentially shifting the balance of the state's delegation, which currently includes six Republicans and two Democrats. More: Wisconsin state budget surplus a sham when so many essential services starved | Opinion While fewer electoral votes might mean less attention from presidential candidates, it could also bring relief from the relentless cycle of campaign advertisements. Of course, these projections are not set in stone. The demographic trends could shift unexpectedly, altering the state's political trajectory in unforeseen ways. But one thing is clear: if you thought Wisconsin politics were unpredictable before, the coming decades promise even more surprises. Luke Fuszard is a lecturer at UW-Madison in the Department of Political Science, most recently teaching the "State Government and Public Policy" course. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Population loss could shift political power to Dane County | Opinion
USA Today
28-01-2025
- Politics
- USA Today
If Wisconsin's population shrinks, it could shake up closely divided politics
If Wisconsin's population shrinks, it could shake up closely divided politics | Opinion Dane County's growing population and high voter turnout will likely amplify its influence in statewide elections Show Caption Hide Caption Here's how to get your views published in Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Want to share a view on an issue of the day? Or comment on how our community or state could be improved? Here's how to get your opinion published. Amid the whirlwind of the incoming presidential administration, a quietly released report from the Wisconsin Department of Administration earlier this month carries profound implications for the state's political future. The Demographic Services Center within the DOA annually estimates population changes for Wisconsin's counties and municipalities. This year's report forecasts a startling trend: Wisconsin's population is expected to decline by nearly 200,000 residents over the next 25 years. This follows a decade of historically low growth, with the population increasing by only 3.6% — the smallest rise in state history. However, this demographic shift will not affect all 72 counties equally. Milwaukee County, for instance, is projected to lose nearly 10% of its population, while Dane County is poised for a 38% surge. Rural counties, meanwhile, will likely continue to experience outmigration. Dane County could play an even more outsized role Politically, these shifts are significant. Dane County's growing population and high voter turnout will likely amplify its influence in statewide elections. Already a Democratic stronghold, the area could become even more critical to the party's success. Vice President Kamala Harris, for instance, outperformed Joe Biden's 2020 numbers in Dane County, where over 90% of registered voters cast ballots last fall. If newcomers to the county adopt similar voting habits, Democrats stand to gain. Yet, Republicans have also made strides in Dane County. Former Gov. Tommy Thompson emphasized the importance of competing in Madison, and Donald Trump heeded that advice, becoming the first GOP presidential candidate to campaign there since Bob Dole. Trump's efforts yielded modest gains, particularly in rural areas and among younger and minority voters — the very groups driving Dane County's population growth. If Republicans can build on these inroads while maintaining their rural strongholds, they could reshape Wisconsin's political landscape. More: Elon Musk salute ripples across US leading to Sam Kuffel in Milwaukee losing job | Opinion State legislative apportionment adds another layer of complexity. The more competitive district maps signed into law by Gov. Tony Evers in 2024 will last only until the next federal census. The redistricting process in 2032, involving the legislature, governor, and potentially the Wisconsin Supreme Court, could allow the dominant party to craft maps that favor its prospects. The aging population also presents fiscal challenges. As baby boomers retire, income tax revenue will shrink, while demand for health care and senior services will rise. Balancing these needs against investments in public education and other youth-focused programs will test lawmakers' priorities. Moreover, with the number of Wisconsinites living with dementia projected to more than double, the pressure on health care resources will be immense. Wisconsin could end up losing Congressional District Nationally, Wisconsin's declining population could cost it a congressional seat after the 2030 or 2040 Census, reducing its influence in Washington and the Electoral College. Those districts currently controlled by the GOP are most at risk, potentially shifting the balance of the state's delegation, which currently includes six Republicans and two Democrats. More: Wisconsin state budget surplus a sham when so many essential services starved | Opinion While fewer electoral votes might mean less attention from presidential candidates, it could also bring relief from the relentless cycle of campaign advertisements. Of course, these projections are not set in stone. The demographic trends could shift unexpectedly, altering the state's political trajectory in unforeseen ways. But one thing is clear: if you thought Wisconsin politics were unpredictable before, the coming decades promise even more surprises. Luke Fuszard is a lecturer at UW-Madison in the Department of Political Science, most recently teaching the "State Government and Public Policy" course.
