Walker’s proposed change for assessors removed from budget

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Gov. Scott Walker’s proposal changing who does property assessments in Wisconsin has been removed from his budget.

Co-chairs of the Legislature’s Joint Finance Committee said Wednesday that Walker’s proposal putting counties, rather than municipalities, in charge of doing assessments had been removed.

The idea had run into widespread opposition, including from the Wisconsin Counties Association which worried about the added costs of the new responsibility.

Republican committee co-chair Sen. Alberta Darling said the idea deserves to be debated, just not as part of the budget.

The proposal can be introduced as a separate bill, which faces a tougher path through the Legislature than if it were part of the larger state budget which has to pass.