Budget lifts ban on foreign ownership of land
MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- Gov. Scott Walker's budget proposal would lift a longtime ban on foreign ownership of large tracts of land in Wisconsin.
The 1887 law bars foreigners from owning more than 640 acres in the state. Some Republican legislators are among opponents of the change.
Rep. Lee Nerison, of Westby, tells the State Journal the ban should be kept in place and the issue should be debated on its own merits, rather than in the state budget.
Walker spokesman Cullen Werwie says the law needs to be changed because it conflicts with the General Agreement on Trade in Services treaty. It was enacted by World Trade Organization members in 1995 to stabilize international service trading.
The federal Farm Service Agency says about 118,000 acres of privately-owned land in Wisconsin is held by foreign interests.
WEAU 13 News Poll
The Local Job Board - Listings -
Most Popular
- NEW INFORMATION: Body of child found in deadly Minn. landslide
- Nearly 100 Amish men meet with county staff over building permit issues
- Local teen wins “Doodle 4 Google”
- Investigators find 79 marijuana plants at home in Altoona
- Kids, teachers from devastated school reunite
- ASSIGNMENT 13: Mind Over Body
- Family returns from vacation after home explodes
- Wis. governor to court Iowans, stoking 2016 talk
- Man accused of breaking into homes of recently deceased is charged
- Democrats, advocates speak out against rent to own
