City staff flags DACA success, housing bill wins and TID-extension changes from state session

Legislative affairs and intergovernmental relations staff briefed the committee on a package of state-session outcomes they said could affect Milwaukee policy and planning.

Justin Morales and colleagues reported on a recently signed DACA-related bill and said the city participated in a signing ceremony. Staff also reviewed housing-related measures that passed in the final days of the session: amendments to the historic rehabilitation tax credit, tweaks to the low-income housing tax credit program that staff said could increase access for local projects, and changes to workforce housing loan program rules.

Notably, staff said the Legislature extended the period after TID closure during which tax increments can be used from one year to two years, a change they described as potentially "vast" for affordable housing funding capacity. Staff told the committee the city is largely compliant with new planning requirements and that DCD will analyze fiscal impacts and present figures to the Council in a future meeting.

Staff urged committee members to identify legislative priorities for the next session and noted turnover in the state legislature that will make relationship-building with new members a priority after the election.

Next steps: DCD and legislative staff said they will return to committee with a more detailed presentation on the specific bills and how the city plans to take advantage of newly available tools.