Tax Reform

Earlier this month, at six news conferences across Wisconsin, Assembly Republicans unveiled a middle-class tax relief proposal. This proposal uses $600 million from the state's budget surplus, to lessen the tax burden on the middle-class. Furthermore, it fulfills a campaign promise made by Governor Tony Evers: cutting taxes for middle-class Wisconsinites. Middle-class tax relief is a win-win for Wisconsin and bipartisanship.

The Assembly Republican proposal mirrors the framework outlined by Governor Evers, providing $340 million in tax relief through a targeted cut for individuals earning less than $100,000 and families earning less than $150,000. However, our plan does not increase taxes on farmers or manufacturers, as Governor Evers proposed.

Wisconsin's manufacturing and agriculture tax credit helped create more than 42,000 good-paying jobs between 2013 and 2016. As noted, we achieve our tax cut without raising taxes on farmers or manufacturers--or any other Wisconsin taxpayer.

Middle-class tax relief would impact nearly 2 million tax filers in the Badger State. The median income family filing jointly will witness a $310 reduction in net taxes. That represents a 10.6 percent reduction in their tax liability. 

The targeted cuts will be made through an increase in the standard deduction or tax-free income on state tax returns. With this change, Wisconsin will have one of the nation's most generous standard deduction procedures. 

The Republican tax relief proposal was released, earlier this week, and my staff and I are in the process of thoroughly reviewing its core provision. The tax cut is intended to take effect in 2020.

Specifically, this proposal would cut taxes on middle-class Wisconsinites, as follows:

• The standard deduction will be increased for earners at the $100,00 single/$150,000 joint level
• Relief is targeted to nearly 2 million filers
• Median-income joint filers will see more than $3000 in tax relief--a 10 percent reduction
• 75 percent of the total tax cut will go to filers with incomes between $30,000 and $100,000
• Joint filers earning between $30,000 and $40,000 will see their tax liability cut nearly in half. 

If you believe our plan is superior to the one outlined by Governor Tony Evers, we would love to have you come to Madison to testify at a public hearing. We would like those testifying to delineate reasons for supporting our plan as opposed to Governor Evers' desire to tax farmers and manufacturers to pay for middle-class tax relief.

Because of this bill's significance, I would like to start the legislative process as quickly as possible. I would like to see a public hearing on this bill as early as next week.

Since 2011, more than $8 billion in tax cuts have helped drive a 25 percent increase in revenue collections. As Wisconsin puts more money in the pockets of taxpayers and employers, the state has used its spending power to drive our economy. 

Those interested in testifying are encouraged to contact my office. A public hearing date has not yet been set. 

District Events

First Fridays at the Cedarburg Cultural Center, Cedarburg, February 1

Port Washington Winter Market, Port Washington, February 2

West Bend Gun Show, West Bend, February 1

Milwaukee Men's Curling Invitational, Cedarburg, February 1-3

Cedarburg Cultural Center Members Exhibit, Cedarburg, January 25-March 10

Stay up to date

One of the best ways to date with what is happening in Madison is to sign up for the legislature's notification tracking system. This service affords you with the opportunity to track legislative activities in Madison. Upon creation of a free account, you can sign up to receive notification about specific bills of committees as well as legislative activity pertaining to a subject (i.e., health care, education, etc.).