Just a few weeks ago I co-authored a bill to change the governance structure of Wisconsin’s technical college districts. Though I acknowledge the legislation’s chances of becoming law this session are slim, I want to further the public discourse and keep the spotlight on this issue.
I took on this challenge because I am convinced that Wisconsin’s taxpayers are not receiving, on the whole, the necessary fiduciary representation by our non-elected technical college boards. In the past, questions surrounding accountability to the taxpayers have led me to question whether ANY non-elected board should have the power to levy taxes. At this point, I believe the best approach is to focus on Wisconsin’s 16 individual technical college districts.
My desire to change the governance structure is not solely based on my belief that tech college tax levy increases are always excessive. However, too many districts have passed too many annual levy increases that dwarf those of the local school boards, city and county governments. In fact, last year, Wisconsin’s technical college district boards increased their levies an average of 5.3%. That’s triple the rate for all other taxing districts in Wisconsin combined.
Currently, technical college district boards consist of nine members who are appointed by a committee consisting of local elected officials. Senate Bill 576 would require each district board to consist of elected members only. The nonpartisan elections would be held in the spring, with members serving four year terms. Terms must be staggered so that at least two members are elected every year.
Many have and will dismiss this initiative by warning about potential “stocking the boards” by interest groups. Many others will blame the great geographical land mass that makes up some districts as a reason not to try. However I feel that issues involving the expenditure of citizen tax dollars are most sacred and that the power to levy hundreds of millions of dollars in taxes should bring with it the responsibility of open government and candid, immediate public accountability.
To learn more about these issues, or to keep up to date on my work in Madison, join my monthly Email Club by contacting my Madison office at (800) 863-1113, or sen.darling@legis.state.wi.us.
To provide some feedback on this column, contact me at (800) 863-1113, or sen.darling@legis.wi.gov.
