A late amendment slipped into the Democratic State Senate's budget will doom many family farmers and greatly increase the loss of farmland all across the state. A change in the definition of ag land has recklessly put use value assessment of farmland in jeopardy.
Property taxes will skyrocket for thousands of farmers. One example is Brown County farmer, Ray Tauscher. He estimates his property taxes will go from $3.50 per acre to $85 per acre. For him that means a $60,000 (2300 percent increase) in his property tax bill!
This kind of property tax increase will take us back to the early 1990s when farmers literally were being taxed off their land. I predict that if this provision is approved, we will see the largest loss of farmland in state history. Ag Secretary Rod Nilsestuen's laudable efforts to preserve working lands will be totally wiped out by a tidal wave of farm conversions to other uses.
This could be the beginning of the end of use value assessment for all farmers. It opens the door to another round of litigation that could lead to a court striking down the entire use value assessment law.
I implore those who care about the loss of our family farms and preserving our farmland to call their legislators at 1-800-362-9472 and the governor's office at (608) 266-1212. It's not too late, but time is running out.
Property taxes will skyrocket for thousands of farmers. One example is Brown County farmer, Ray Tauscher. He estimates his property taxes will go from $3.50 per acre to $85 per acre. For him that means a $60,000 (2300 percent increase) in his property tax bill!
This kind of property tax increase will take us back to the early 1990s when farmers literally were being taxed off their land. I predict that if this provision is approved, we will see the largest loss of farmland in state history. Ag Secretary Rod Nilsestuen's laudable efforts to preserve working lands will be totally wiped out by a tidal wave of farm conversions to other uses.
This could be the beginning of the end of use value assessment for all farmers. It opens the door to another round of litigation that could lead to a court striking down the entire use value assessment law.
I implore those who care about the loss of our family farms and preserving our farmland to call their legislators at 1-800-362-9472 and the governor's office at (608) 266-1212. It's not too late, but time is running out.
