I regret to inform you that, again, Governor Tony Evers has vetoed a middle-class income tax cut.  Probably, your 2020 income taxes will be higher than they had to be.

In last week's newsletter, I shared details about the plan.  The Legislature sent a bipartisan bill to Governor Evers that would have saved the average low- and middle-class tax filer (that is, 64 percent of all filers, but not high earners) $106 each year beginning in 2020.  The plan would also have made a special payment to reduce general debt; repealed another piece of the burdensome Personal Property Tax on small businesses; and brought the state's "Rainy Day Fund" to another all-time high balance of nearly $1 billion.

Governor Evers said he couldn't support this plan because he thinks the budget surplus that we're running should have been spent instead on new school spending.  He also claimed that the plan would have "reduced" the Rainy Day Fund, which is simply false.  Here's the thing: in the past four years, Republicans have increased state aid for schools by 15 percent.  K-12 schools are receiving more actual dollars than at any previous time in history.  We doubled current funding for student mental health programs.  Not one Democrat in the Legislature voted for these increases.  Even so, the state is running a surplus (collecting more taxes from you than we need).  But Governor Evers is apparently adamant that spending must increase; for the second time this session, he has refused an opportunity to help middle- and lower-income taxpayers.

As always, I encourage you to follow my updates on social media or contact my office directly with your questions.

Stuff Worth Knowin'

• Income tax season is in full swing; the Department of Revenue reports that about a third of the anticipated 3 million state tax returns have been submitted.  DOR is urging folks to consider filing soon rather than waiting until nearer the April 15 deadline: you are more likely to receive your refund quickly (and, if you owe tax, you have until April 15 to pay your bill); you are less likely to become a fraud victim if you file early; and the staff are more likely to be able to assist you with questions now than when the rush is on later.  Click here for additional resources, including the link to Wisconsin's free e-file tool.  (That's right: you don't need to pay for third-party software to be able to file electronically!)

• Fall 2020 will mark the third elk hunt in state history, and the DNR will begin accepting applications for fall elk hunting licenses on March 1st.  Elk were eliminated from Wisconsin during the 1880s but have been reintroduced in recent years; the northern herd population peaked in 2019 at about 280 animals, and the DNR anticipates another year of continued herd growth.  About 70 percent of the northern herd's range is on public land.  Click here for more information and to access the hunting license application system.

• Many municipal clerks will be seeking election workers for the upcoming April election.  Did you know that, with parents' permission, 16- and 17 year-olds may be eligible to be appointed as election workers by their municipal clerks?  Anyone can use this tool to look up contact information for his or her local election officer.  Give it a try!

Thanks, HearthStone!

I got invited to a bowling party recently, and we had a blast!  Nearly 100 people enjoyed some Valentine's Day weekend fun with HearthStone of Wisconsin at the Odyssey Fun Center in Sheboygan Falls.  HearthStone helps folks with disabilities enjoy a secure, welcoming and fulfilling place in communities across our state.  Thanks for including me!

Office of Representative Terry Katsma
State Capitol, Room 306 East
P.O. Box 8952
Madison, WI 53708
(608) 266-0656
Rep.Katsma@legis.wisconsin.gov|  |