Home Rule Home rule was finally authorized in 1924 by an amendment to Article XI, Section 3, of the constitution and passage of Chapter 198, Laws of 1925. The method of such determination shall be prescribed by the legislature. This grant of home rule became important in the development of municipal government. since it provided cities and villages greater leeway in determining their own affairs. In 1925 and 1933 the legislature strengthened home rule, substituting a comprehensive grant of power for the great freedom in making decisions about what services they would provide and how those services would be delivered. Today, for example, a city or village may decide whether or not it will provide a public transportation system, public health care, or parks and recreational facilities.
Home rule is seen by municipal decision makers as central to their ability to govern.
Classes of cities, established by law in 1971, remain intact, but special charter provisions establishing some municipalities were superseded. Only the charter of the City of Milwaukee remained unchanged by these reforms. Even today, state laws reflect this special status of Milwaukee. Wisconsin has a progressive tradition Wisconsin's political heritage has been generally progressive. Wisconsin was settled during the Jacksonian Era and its constitution, written in 1848, reflects the democratic values of that period.