JFC Cuts 'Smart Growth' Funding
The committee voted to eliminate funding for a major component of the state's "Smart Growth" initiative.
The motion, authored by Rep. Dan Meyer, removes the requirement for counties to have a comprehensive plan in place by 2010, shifting $2 million to the general fund.
The motion passed 10-6.
Meyer said he has nothing against planning, but “counties should be able to plan as they wish at the local level instead of being told how to plan.”
Senate Co-Chair Scott Fitzgerald agreed its time to shift to local control. “There was a time at its beginning when Smart Growth seemed like a good idea, but it's time to move forward,” he said.
Rep. Mark Pocan said the popularity of grant requests is evidence of the popularity of the program with counties. “I think this would be the worst motion we've done yet,” Pocan said.
Sen. Luther Olsen agreed the state needs organized growth. He said Smart Growth is a popular program in district, and this motion is coming from “people who say, 'I don't want anyone telling me what to do with my property.' And the farther north I go, I hear that more and more.” He said the program encourages local people to set their own plan. “Not that Madison tells them what to do - they decide.”
Smart Growth funding is in Budget Paper 102.
