Wisconsin Libertarians: Give Taxpayers Their Money Back
November 30, 2024

Lake Country Tribune

By Benjamin Yount | The Center Square contributor

(The Center Square) – Add Wisconsin’s Libertarian Party to the list of those asking lawmakers to return the state’s $4 billion budget surplus to taxpayers.

“The Libertarian Party of Wisconsin would like to politely ask the Wisconsin Legislature to kindly refund the excess money they took from Wisconsin taxpayers,” the Libertarian Party said in its message to lawmakers.

Wisconsin is looking at a projected $4 billion surplus by the end of the current state budget cycle, plus a $2 billion rainy day fund.

Republican lawmakers at the Wisconsin Capitol have said for years that they want to return the surplus to taxpayers.

Assembly Speaker Robin Vos said earlier this month that returning the surplus is his top priority in the next legislative session.

“We have a record-surplus and…at least for Assembly Republicans, we are not in a rush to spend that. We are in a rush to return it back to the people of Wisconsin. The best way that we can help folks deal with inflation is by putting the money that they overpaid back in their wallets, so that they can choose to spend it on things that are important to their family. So that’s going to be something that we work on right away next spring,” Vos told reporters.

Democratic lawmakers and Gov. Tony Evers have said they would rather spend the money on education.

Senate Democratic Leader Diane Hesselbein said she’d like to spend the surplus on schools and special education.

“I would like to put a large portion of that money to the school districts so that they can decide what they need,” Hesselbein said.

The Libertarian Party said lawmakers need to stop “robbing the taxpayers.”

“Instead of doing the ethical thing, it appears that the Evers Administration will be quite content to shovel that surplus into the gaping, insatiable maw that is the state bureaucracy,” the Libertarians said. “The state budget is, essentially, a contract between the taxpayers and the legislature. They propose a set of services to be rendered for a fee, paid by taxes. When the taxpayers exceed their end of the contract, it must, if we want to foster trust and honesty, be returned to the people. It most definitely must not be stolen to give bureaucratic agencies their grandest desires in the next budget, as it appears that the governor would want to do.”

Syndicated with permission from The Center Square.

View More Sports Articles

Everything to Know About Super Bowl LIX

Everything to Know About Super Bowl LIX

The Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs are set to face off for Super Bowl LIX. The game is set to be held on Sunday, February 9th at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans. It is scheduled to air at 5:30 p.m. CT on Fox. This previous Sunday, the teams slated...

Admirals to Honor Bob Uecker

Admirals to Honor Bob Uecker

The Milwaukee Admirals have announced their plans to honor the legacy of Wisconsin legend, Bob Uecker. Admirals President Jon Greenberg expressed his sadness over losing Uecker on behalf of the organization. In a statement, Greenberg said that the Admirals efforts to...

Lake Country DockHounds to Host Chili Cook Off

Lake Country DockHounds to Host Chili Cook Off

Amidst the frigid weather in Wisconsin this week, the Lake Country DockHounds have announced a chili and soup cook off on Saturday, March 15. The ticketed event will allow guests to sample various warm soups and chilis, then cast their vote for their favorite. The...

NFL Star Zack Baun Purchases Home in Brookfield

NFL Star Zack Baun Purchases Home in Brookfield

Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Zack Baun and his wife, Ali, have purchased a stunning 5,500-square-foot home in Brookfield, Wisconsin, for approximately $1 million. The luxurious four-bedroom property, previously owned by Susan G. Lewis, marks a significant purchase...