With the biennial state budget nearing its completion, Republicans on the Joint Finance Committee continue to prioritize families, the middle-class, and students. Following the report that Wisconsin will have a $4.4 billion budget surplus, Republicans are planning to pass a $3.4 billion tax cut because we believe that individuals, families, and businesses know better how to spend their hard-earned money than the government.
Here's how the plan is broken down:
Provide a tax cut of roughly $3.4 billion -- building on the over $13 billion in state and local tax cuts delivered by Republican since 2011.
Invest in our state's rainy day fund -- ensuring we're in strong fiscal health if faced with an economic downturn.
Create a child and dependent care tax credit to help working families make ends meet.
This is what our tax relief plan will look like for Wisconsinites:
$900 income tax relief for typical family
$300 property tax relief for typical home
$1,200 savings for typical family
$200 million tax relief to main street
Additionally, Republicans are planning to use this higher-than-expected surplus to fund K-12 schools. Under our plan, schools would reach 2/3 funding or an estimated 68% in state aid in the second year of the biennial budget. This will ultimately equate to an increase of $2,900 per student statewide.
I am proud that Republicans on the Joint Finance Committee have crafted a fiscally responsible budget that focuses on Wisconsin taxpayers, families, and students.
Assembly Floor Update
On Wednesday, the Assembly convened to discuss a host of important bills focusing on policing reform and protecting individual liberties. Following recommendations made by the bipartisan Speaker's Task Force on Racial Disparities, the State Assembly approved four Senate bills that are now headed to the governor's desk for his signature.
Senate Bill 121: relating to prohibiting the use of choke holds by law enforcement officers in use of force policies
Senate Bill 122: relating to public access to policies regarding the use of force by law enforcement
Senate Bill 123: relating to reporting of law enforcement use of force incidents
Senate Bill 124: relating to community-oriented policing-house grant program and making an appropriation
The Assembly voted in favor of 8 bills that have been sent to the Senate for consideration:
Assembly Bill 190: relating to the responsibilities of the Law Enforcement Standards Board and disclosure of employment files when recruiting former or current officers
Assembly Bill 329: relating to reporting the use of no-knock entry in the execution of a search warrant
Assembly Bill 331: relating to requiring prospective law enforcement officers to complete a psychological examination prior to employment as a law enforcement officer and granting rule-making authority
Assembly Bill 332: relating to crisis training for law enforcement officers
Assembly Bill 334: relating to drug testing of law enforcement officers involved in certain critical incidents while on duty
Assembly Bill 335: relating to grants to law enforcement agencies for body cameras
In addition, the Assembly voted in favor of Assembly Bill 299, which prohibits the use of "vaccine passports" for any public or private entity. As I've stated before, vaccine passports are an abusive overreach of government and each individual is entitled to privacy in their own health concerns. The Senate will now have the opportunity to send this bill to the governor's desk.
District Events
Over the weekend, I attended a great event in Rhinelander that included the Second Saturday in June Car Show, motorcycle show, and art fair.
What a great day it was, filled with incredible antique cars, motorcycles, arts and crafts representative of the great Northwoods.
Thank you to the Rhinelander car show organizers for inviting me to help with the trophy presentation. I am already looking forward to next year's event!
Summer's Officially Here!
This Sunday marks the first day of summer and there's no better place to spend your summer than in the Northwoods.
As many of you are planning on heading to one of the many beaches in the 34th Assembly District this weekend, it's important to keep an eye on the beach conditions before you go so that you can be made aware of any closed beaches or swimming advisories.
Please click here for the DNR's beach conditions report.
Travel Wisconsin Trail Report
All biking and hiking trails are now open. Please click here to view the Wisconsin Trail Report.
Happy Father's Day
Happy Father's Day to all the Dads in the Northwoods!
Community Events
Please click the following links for upcoming community events!
All biking and hiking trails are now open. Please 