ICYMI: Gov. Tony Evers Pushes Tax Cuts and Inflation Relief As Wisconsin Republicans Say No to Lowering Costs

WUWM 89.7 FM: Evers proposes more tax cuts, inflation relief for Wisconsinites; Republicans say no way, not now

A new report from WUWM 89.7 FM highlights Gov. Tony Evers’ plan to cut taxes and lower costs for the middle class and calls out Wisconsin Republicans for trying to block him.

With Wisconsin in “the best fiscal shape that we’ve been in, in over half a century,” Gov. Evers wants to direct the surplus towards a 10% tax cut for the middle class, expanded eligibility for a veterans’ property tax credit, a caregiver tax credit and expanded child and dependent care credit, and lowering the costs of gas and insulin.

“We can do this because our economy is strong, and people have suffered,” Gov. Evers said. “We’re still fighting issues around inflation. So, I’m hopeful the Legislature will see the wisdom in this, and take this up as soon as possible.”

But Wisconsin Republicans have said “no way,” refusing to join Gov. Evers in fighting inflation, releasing a joint statement rejecting his plan to lower taxes and cut costs.

Read key excerpts from the article below.

WUWM 89.7 FM: Evers proposes more tax cuts, inflation relief for Wisconsinites; Republicans say no way, not now

The Evers adminstration says the projected state budget surplus continues to grow. So, Democrats are again calling on Republicans controlling the Legislature to cut income taxes and take other steps to help middle and lower-income wage earners.

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“When I came back to the Legislature in 2008, we had deficits as far as the eye could see. Legislators were even taking furlough days. Now, we have surpluses as far as the eye can see. As a matter of fact, we’re in the best fiscal shape that we’ve been in, in over a half-century,” he said.

So strong, that Barca’s department projects the state will end the fiscal year in June with more than $5 billion in its coffers. That’s up from the $3.8 billion surplus the non-partisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau predicted earlier this year for the end of the two-year budget period.

Gov. Tony Evers said some of the expanding surplus should go to a 10% tax cut for single tax filers making less than $100,000 in adjusted gross income or married joint filers at or below $150,000.

Evers also wants to increase the income limit for the state’s homestead tax credit, and expand eligibility for a property tax credit for veterans and surviving spouses.

The Democrat said he also wants to lower some out-of-pocket costs, which would happen through a repeal of the state’s minimum mark-up law for motor fuel and by capping the cost-sharing payment for insulin.

Evers also wants to create a caregiver tax credit, and expand the child and dependent care credit.

The new plan, he said, would still leave billions in the state accounts and he also said it’s very doable. “We can do this because our economy is strong, and people have suffered. We’re still fighting issues around inflation. So, I’m hopeful the Legislature will see the wisdom in this, and take this up as soon as possible,” Evers said.

But it appears Republican leaders in Madison don’t want to give Evers any wins, especially when he’s in what polls say is a close race with Republican contender for governor Tim Michels.

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