For over a decade, Wisconsin Republicans have prioritized giving more money back to the hardworking people of our state. Since 2011, our tax cuts have totaled over $31 billion. That’s an accomplishment I am proud to be a part of—because it’s your money and you know best how to spend it. These cuts will save Wisconsin families $1,707 this year alone. Whether that helps buy groceries or gas; funds a home improvement project; or buys a family trip, returning this money makes a meaningful difference for those in our state.
As a leader of the state’s budget-writing committee, I have fought to build on this success and return part of our state’s $7 billion surplus back to taxpayers. We tried with a $4.4 billion tax package in the budget which reduced property taxes, lowered income taxes on all filers and cut taxes impacting our business community. Of the $3.5 billion income tax cut that was part of this package, Governor Evers vetoed 95% of it—reducing an average cut of $573 per filer down to $36 per filer. When Legislative Republicans tried again with a bill that would have increased the tax exemption on retirement income and delivered a tax cut targeted to the middle class, Governor Evers threatened to veto the bill – and eventually followed through on that threat. So, we tried again with four bills that would have significantly expanded the child and dependent care credit; increased the cap on the married couple credit to correct for marriage penalties in the tax code; expanded the second tax bracket to include income up to $150,000; and increased the exemption
on retirement income. Governor Evers promised on multiple occasions to fight for a middle class tax cut – including just one week before he vetoed the third tax cut package – but he has shown his true stance by rejecting three Republican authored tax cuts. While he believes this money should stay in state coffers, I know this money belongs to you. I won’t stop fighting for more tax relief to be delivered to the hardworking people of our state – because it’s your money and you know how to spend it better.
