(The Center Square) – Republican and conservative leaders in Wisconsin are calling again for tax cuts after Gov. Tony Evers touted his fiscal policy in Wednesday’s State of the State speech.
Evers has a “distorted memory” of the policies that led to a $4.6 billion surplus in the state, according to Americans for Prosperity of Wisconsin State Director Megan Novak.
Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, called Evers speech tired rhetoric and lip service about reaching across the aisle to Republicans and that he rarely follows through. He hopes Evers will consider cutting taxes this budget season.
“Cutting them remains the primary objective for Legislative Republicans,” Vos said. “We have the largest one-time surplus in state history and instead of talking about how to return that money to working families tonight, Governor Evers prioritized adding more spending and growing the size of government.”
Others pointed toward Evers’ veto of tax cuts during the last biennial budget as the reason Wisconsin residents did not receive more tax relief.
“During his speech, Gov. Evers touted providing tax relief during his first six years in office,” said Rep. Karen Hurd, R-Withee. “What he failed to mention is that in the last budget alone he reduced $3.5 billion in tax relief approved by Legislative Republicans to only $175 million through use of his veto pen. Instead of helping Wisconsinites who are struggling to keep up with the rising cost of living the governor chose to keep this money in Madison.”
Senate President Mary Felzkowski, R-Tomahawk, said the tax cuts would have benefited retirees and middle-class parents. She called for Evers to create a more fiscally sound budget proposal by working with Legislative leaders this year.
Evers is scheduled to present his full budget proposal at 7 p.m. on Feb. 18.
“The governor painted a rosy picture of his plans tonight, but at their core, they are tax and spend policies; Republican policies to address these issues are market-driven and do not expand the bureaucracy,” Felzkowski said. “Instead of taking credit for the work Republicans have done, I hope the Governor decides to come to the table this year and work on policies that actually work for Wisconsinites.”
MacIver Institute said in a statement that the governor shouldn’t be touting his work as successful policy and should instead rethink his priorities heading into the budget proposal.
“In reality, Gov. Evers is prioritizing illegal immigrants, red flag laws, and more money for teachers’ unions instead of creative, forward-thinking solutions that offer Wisconsin a positive path forward to a better future of increased opportunity and prosperity for our state. The bottom line is this: It’s just not working,” MacIver CEO Annette Olson said in a statement.
Evers vetoed $4.3 billion in combined income and property tax reductions during the last budget, according to Sen. Eric Wimberger, R-Oconto, and he also vetoed reducing Wisconsin’s income tax brackets from four to three, lowering tax rates for taxpayers in each bracket and a proposal for tax-free retirement.
“While Wisconsin’s middle-class families have been wrestling with inflation, the Governor vetoed tax cuts which would have kept more money in the wallets of hardworking taxpayers across the state,” said Wimberger, a member of the Legislature’s budget writing committee. “At the same time, the Governor prioritizes the same tired, far-left policy wish list – amnesty for illegals, massive government spending, red flag laws, and DEI initiatives – that stand no chance of passing through a bipartisan legislature.”
