Gov. Evers Follows Legislature’s Lead

 

Throughout the budget process, it was our intention to send Governor Evers a budget that he could sign and that we could be proud of. This week, that became a reality. Gov. Evers has followed the lead of the Republican Legislature and signed off on the vast majority of the budget we passed last week.

 

In February, Gov. Evers proposed raising taxes by over $1 billion in his budget proposal. The Joint Committee on Finance (JFC) rejected that plan and instead passed a budget that puts money back into the pockets of businesses and the hardworking taxpayers of Wisconsin. This budget contains the largest tax cut in a generation, and provides historic investments in areas such as healthcare and transportation.

 

In the end, the signing of this budget is a good thing for the people of Wisconsin. It means more money back in the pockets of the taxpayers, responsible spending, and record investments in our priorities.



What does the 21st Assembly District think about Wisconsin’s Budget?

Back in April I mailed a Budget Survey asking for my community’s thoughts on our state’s budget. I was able to review the survey results in the weeks leading up to our Floor Session on the budget last week. With the budget passed and signed, I wanted to share the results with you.

Question: The state of Wisconsin is heading into the next budget cycle with more than a billion dollar surplus and a large amount of financial assistance from the federal government. Should the state borrow nearly $3.6 billion and raise taxes by more than $1 billion, as the governor has proposed?

At his budget address in February, Gov. Evers proposed raising taxes by over $1 billion. Finance Republicans rejected this proposal and instead chose to CUT taxes by over $3.4 billion. The Governor signed our budget without partially vetoing any of our tax cuts. This means that instead of a tax increase, the typical Wisconsin family is set to save about $1,200 on their income and property taxes.

 

Question: Do you support accepting federal dollars to expand Medicaid in Wisconsin even though our state does not have an insurance coverage gap?

We don’t need to expand welfare to fund our health priorities. In this budget we invest in hospitals, long-term care facilities, and dental clinics to make sure Wisconsinites have access to affordable, high-quality healthcare when they need it. Our budget also supports those who care for our most vulnerable and ensures we have a quality long-term care workforce.

 

Question: In which of the following areas would you support the legislature allocating state money in the 2021-23 budget?

 

Investing in K-12 schools

Funding higher education

Economic development

Expanding welfare

Fixing our roads and bridges

Cutting taxes

 

Question: Last session, legislative Republicans invested more than $40 million in Broadband expansion grants. Should the state invest even more money to provide high-speed internet services in underserved areas of Wisconsin? 

We provided $125 million in newly authorized general obligation bonding in the upcoming biennium for broadband expansion.

 

Question: Governor Evers’ budget doubles the state energy tax, which will cause electric bills to increase for Wisconsin businesses and residential consumers. Do you support that tax increase?

Not only do we not raise the state energy tax, but we were able to provide the largest tax cut in a generation. Our budget cuts taxes by over $3.4 billion, including income tax and property tax relief.


Go Bucks!

Good luck to the Milwaukee Bucks as they continue on in the NBA Finals! #FearTheDeer

 


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