MPS Referendum FAQsWhen can I vote on the $252 million Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) referendum?Residents can vote in person from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at their polling place on election day – Tuesday, April 2. To find your polling place, learn more about early voting opportunities or absentee voting by mail, visit the city of Milwaukee’s website.
Is this referendum a one-time funding request?No. This referendum would permanently raise the MPS levy limit by $252 million annually when fully phased in. This increase will be funded, in large part, through property tax hikes.
How much will this referendum impact my property taxes?The MPS portion of your property tax bill will increase by nearly 30 percent. This means the owner of a $200,000 property would pay an additional $432 annually.
Will renters have to pay for this referendum?Yes. In a recent poll conducted by the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce (MMAC), 50 property managers were surveyed and said they would be increasing rents on their tenants should this measure pass.
What other impacts will this referendum have on Milwaukee?Milwaukee’s property taxes and housing costs are already high when compared to other Midwestern cities. A near 30 percent hike will only make our cost of living higher and paralyze growth within our community.
Does the ballot question indicate the referendum will be funded through property taxes?No. The ballot question neglects to mention a 26 percent increase in residents’ property taxes. It simply asks voters for permission to raise the district levy limits incrementally through the 2027-28 school year and then permanently after that. This is why it’s important to educate family, friends, neighbors and other voters about the impact of this costly measure.
Why is the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce (MMAC) opposing this referendum?Without a clear and concise plan to improve academic outcomes for our community’s children, this $252 million measure is far too costly and will put further strain on family budgets already stretched thin.
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