“Local and Overlooked News,” December 15, 2023

Civic Media’s Teri Barr joins The Maggie Daun Show to share “Local and Overlooked News:” this week features your property tax bills and new drug overdose kits in your community

1. Property tax bills are in the mail. So is an increase in what you owe.

Property taxes. It’s something not often discussed in the news, but should be, especially in Wisconsin. 

A new report from the Wisconsin Policy Forum shows a more than 4.5% increase in your property tax bill, arriving in your mailbox any day now.

The increase is hitting homeowners, despite the bipartisan deal to boost shared revenue, that is the money the state sends to cities, towns, and counties. Local officials get to decide how to best use it.

So, why this big jump?

Tax officials blame inflation, along with various efforts at the local level to raise property taxes in support of education projects.

The increase in the largest since 2007.

Wisconsin remains in the top-10 for states with the highest property taxes.

What can you do?

Write or talk with your state lawmakers and ask them to consider what is needed to support local leaders while also limiting huge increases in property taxes.

2. A personal mission to deliver Overdose Aid Kits around the state

A Dane County woman is starting to supply what she is calling “Overdose Aid Kits” (OAK) to businesses and other locations across Wisconsin. It’s an effort to create awareness about substance abuse, end the stigma surrounding it, and offer a way to save lives.

Jessica Geschke is delivering the kits after witnessing the overdose of a family member on opioids. She did not have any of the life-saving Narcan or other resources to immediately be able to help, so had to call police.

This Cottage Grove mother says she wants these kits available anywhere and everywhere, and believes it should be right next to other items needed in an emergency like an AED or first aid kit. Geschke feels so strongly, she has created the nonprofit, Start Healing Now. You can learn more on the website, here.  

State health officials report more than 1,400 people died from a drug overdose last year.