MILWAUKEE, June 1 (UPI) -- A trade group says a proposed increase in landfill charges in Wisconsin would leave the state with the highest garbage fees in the nation.
The National Solid Wastes Management Association said its estimates indicate the increased fees approved by the state Legislature's Joint Finance Committee would result in significantly higher waste taxes for cities and small communities alike, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported Sunday.
The City of Milwaukee's estimations predict the city alone will pay $2.3 million more in waste taxes annually under the proposed increase.
The association said such increases would likely result in Wisconsin surpassing West Virginia as the state with the nation's highest landfill tax. Specific figures regarding West Virginia's taxes were not reported.
The Journal Sentinel said the plan for the increased garbage dumping charges by landfill operators must pass both state houses and be signed by the governor before going into effect.
The state plan is intended to create an increased source of revenue to help battle Wisconsin's current budget deficit, the newspaper said.
