Historic Tax Relief

Recently, the non-partisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau (LFB) reported that by mid-2023, Wisconsin will have $4.4 billion more in revenue than anticipated. With this great news, I was excited to join a number of my Republican colleagues on Thursday afternoon to announce a historic $3.4 billion tax relief package for Wisconsin's middle class.

A big part of this tax relief package is focused on income tax cuts. There are four income tax brackets in Wisconsin and this plan lowers the rate for the largest of these brackets, the third level, from 6.27% to 5.3%. This bracket includes many working families and a good number of individual filers. This tax rate reduction amounts to a $2.3 billion middle class tax cut! With this tax cut, it is estimated that a married couple making $50,000 a year would be able to take home $63 more a month and an individual making that same amount would realize $26 more per month. That's more money to put gas in the gas tank to get to and from work, for parents to buy clothes for their kids, or to heat their home in the winter instead of sending it to Madison.

Also, this tax relief package incorporates legislation that I authored with Senator Jacque to eliminate the state income tax on active duty military pay. Those who answer the call to serve our state and nation in the armed forces make many sacrifices. As we return a portion of the state’s surplus to the taxpayers it is only right that we eliminate the income tax for those actively serving our nation protecting the freedoms we all hold dear.

In addition to the tax relief package, legislative Republicans also announced an education funding plan that achieves the goal of providing 2/3 funding for our K-12 schools. Under this plan, state aid to our schools is estimated to be 68% in the second year of the budget. Also, according to LFB, this funding plan meets the federal requirements to receive funding through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).

On Thursday evening the legislature's Joint Finance Committee approved these plans as a part of their final actions on the 2021-2023 State Budget. The budget now advances to the full legislature for consideration. Once approved by both houses, it will head to Governor Evers' desk.

Prohibiting COVID-19 Passports

During Wednesday’s Assembly floor session, I was proud to vote for Assembly Bill (AB) 299. This legislation would prohibit the use of “vaccine passports” for the COVID-19 vaccine by any public or private entity. “Vaccine passports” could be used by governments and private entities to deny access to government buildings, businesses, or activities like sporting events or concerts.

The decision on whether or not to receive the COVID-19 vaccine should be a private, personal decision. It should also be a personal decision on whether or not you chose to share private medical information like your vaccine status and you should not be forced to share this information just to go about your daily life.

AB 299 was approved by the Assembly with bipartisan support and now heads to the State Senate for further consideration.

Under the Dome

Continuing to Advocate for Our Loggers

Earlier this week I joined my colleagues Senator Testin and Representative Krug in testifying before the Senate Committee on Economic and Workforce Development in support of the Senate version of the "Mill Bill" Senate Bill (SB) 369. This bill authorizes the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation to award loans to help reopen the paper mills in Wisconsin Rapids and Park Falls.

The Wisconsin Rapids mill alone utilized approximately 25% of all the pulpwood harvested in Wisconsin and the loss of this major customer has been extremely hard on the timber industry across northern Wisconsin. I've heard from some loggers who lost 50% of their business with the closure of this mill. Getting this facility along with the smaller paper mill in Park Falls up and running would make a big difference for timber professionals across the Northwoods. To learn more about SB 369 click here to read my committee testimony.

Also, I am pleased to share that the Assembly version of this legislation, Assembly Bill 367 is scheduled to be considered by the full Assembly during our next floor session this upcoming Tuesday, June 22nd.

Around the 87th

Upcoming Events Around the 87th District

One of my favorite parts about serving as your state representative is getting out and interacting with constituents at many of the wonderful community events across the 87th District. Check out some of the upcoming events around the district below. Also, if you know of any other events, please contact my office and let me know, so I can include them in a future e-update and try to attend myself.

Check out some of the events coming up around the district:

• Gilman June Dairy Days
  • June 19th-21st, Gilman Park - Gilman
• Musky Festival
  • June 25th-27th - Hayward
• Sawyer County Dairy Breakfast
  • Saturday, June 26th - Sawyer County Fairgrounds - Hayward

Stay Up to Date

One of the best ways to stay up to date with what is going on in Madison is to sign up for the legislature's notification tracking service. This service allows you to follow legislative activity in Madison. Once you create a free account you can sign up to receive notifications about specific bills or committees as well as legislative activity pertaining to a subject area (i.e. agriculture, veterans). You can sign up for this service at notify.legis.wisconsin.gov.