Providing Tax Relief for the Middle Class

During last fall's campaign, Governor Evers proposed cutting income taxes for Wisconsin's middle class.  As I mentioned in a previous e-update, this is an area that legislative Republicans are in agreement with the governor.  Last month I was proud to join with my Republican colleagues to bring forward our initiative to cut taxes for Wisconsin's middle class taxpayers.  This initiative was introduced as Assembly Bill (AB) 4 and I proudly voted in favor of it when it came before me in the State Assembly on Tuesday.

Under Republican leadership over the past eight years, Wisconsin has gone from a $3.6 billion budget deficit to a $588.5 million surplus.  AB 4 returns a portion of this surplus to the middle class taxpayers of Wisconsin through $340 million in income tax relief.  Under this plan, the tax cuts are targeted at individuals making under $100,000 and families making less than  $150,000 with 88% of the tax cuts going to filers with incomes under $100,000.  According to the nonpartisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau, a median income family filing jointly would see a $310 tax cut.

While Governor Evers also wants to provide middle class tax relief, he wants to pay for it by reducing the Manufacturing and Agriculture Credit, which would increase taxes on farmers and job creators.  According to a report from the University of Wisconsin from 2013-2016, this tax credit contributed to the creation of 42,000 jobs in Wisconsin including a gain of over 20,000 manufacturing jobs.  I believe that reducing taxes for some taxpayers by raising it on others is not really a tax cut, it is a tax shift.

I am pleased to report that AB 4 also passed the State Senate this week, and now heads to Governor Evers' desk.  I call on Governor Evers to sign this common-sense proposal to provide Wisconsin's hardworking middle class tax relief.  I encourage residents of the 87th District to contact Governor Evers' office to share why this tax cut is important for you and your family and ask that he sign AB 4 into law.  His office can be reached at (608) 266-1212 or by clicking here.

Click on the photo to view a video from Rep. Edming on the Middle Class Tax Cut

Cracking Down on Deer Poachers

Deer hunting is a Wisconsin tradition.  Each fall thousands of people take to the woods to participate in one of our state's many deer hunting seasons. With the importance of deer hunting in our state, poaching a deer should not be a profitable activity in Wisconsin. Unfortunately, poachers can collect thousands of dollars on the black market for selling antlers and other parts of a trophy deer, while the punishment remains minimal.

Recently, I circulated a bill with Senator Petrowski for support in the legislature that would increase penalties on individuals who unlawfully harvest a deer.  Currently, one of the penalties that can be imposed for the unlawful harvest of a deer, or poaching, is the wild animal protection surcharge.  Currently, this surcharge is only $43.75 no matter how egregious the act of poaching is.  Under our bill, the maximum surcharge would rise to $5,000.  This would allow judges to impose higher penalties on poachers who are not deterred by the current penalties.  I look forward to working with my colleagues to pass this legislation as the session progresses.

Around the 87th

Holton Town Board Meeting

On Wednesday evening, I attended the Holton Town Board meeting to discuss some local zoning issues they are having in Marathon County.  I appreciate the invite and look forward to doing what I can to assist them.

American Legion Oratorical Contest

Last weekend, I had the honor of being a finals judge at the American Legion's Regional/State Oratorical Contest in Ripon. I enjoyed listening to the high school students give their speeches and I was very impressed with their knowledge of the U.S. Constitution.

Back: Wisconsin Commander Frank Kostka, Past National Commander
Denise Rohan

Front: Malik Staude (3rd Place), Elijah Anumolu (2nd Place), Representative Edming, Timothy Davis (1st Place), Representative Joan Ballweg, Robert Stone (Chairman State Oratorical), Senator Luther Olsen 

Stay Up to Date

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