« Wisconsin Joins Investigation of JUUL Labs | Home | BoardmanClark: Coronavirus Guidance »
Evers Vetoes GOP Tax, Debt Plan; Calls for Compromise
By Wisconsin School Administrators Alliance staff | February 26, 2020
From WisPolitics.com . . .
Gov. Tony Evers today vetoed a GOP plan to cut taxes and reduce state debt, knocking Republicans for failing to embrace his proposal to pump a portion of an anticipated state surplus into school funding.
Along with upping state aid to schools, Evers’ plan would’ve resulted in a $130 million reduction in property taxes. In vetoing the GOP bill during a ceremony in suburban Milwaukee, Evers said he was willing to work on a compromise with Republican lawmakers.
Evers said he would support legislation with an income tax cut and larger rainy day fund payment, but it must include a property tax cut and increased school funding.
“It’s time for the Republicans to put politics aside so we can do what’s right for our kids, our schools, and of course, our property tax payers,” Evers said. “I’m ready to work across the aisle to get this done, and I’m willing to come to a compromise that works for everyone.”
GOP legislative leaders didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.
The state now expects a $451.9 million surplus by mid-2021, and that could grow if Foxconn fails to qualify for the full $212 million in tax credits that were anticipated in the current two-year budget.
The GOP package, which passed largely along party lines, included reducing income taxes by $247.7 million, paying off $100 million in state debt and sending $44.7 million to local governments to offset lost revenue from an expanded property tax break for businesses.
Evers, meanwhile, proposed a $251.9 million plan for schools. That includes pumping $130 million into school aids, which would then trigger a corresponding reduction in the property taxes that districts can collect.
Topics: SAA Capitol Reports, SAA Capitol Reports with Email Notifications, SAA Latest Update | No Comments »
Comments are closed.