(The Center Square) – Wisconsin’s record budget surplus will continue to sit at the State Capitol.
Gov. Tony Evers vetoed a $2 billion tax cut that would have used Wisocnsin’s nearly $7 billion surplus to cover an income tax cut for most people in the state.
The governor called the tax cut an “unserious” plan.
“I promised I would keep fighting for child care providers, working families and our communities, and I keep my promises – and it starts with vetoing this unserious proposal that is out of touch with the real challenges facing our state today,” Evers said.
Evers wants to spend the surplus on child care providers, create a state family paid leave plan and send more money to the University of Wisconsin.
“Clearly, Republicans have yet to wrap their heads around our state’s challenges, and their inability to take this issue seriously is affecting Wisconsinites’ livelihoods, our workforce and our economy, and our kids’ future.”
This is the second tax cut that Evers has scuttled.
The governor vetoed a $3 billion tax cut out of the new state budget earlier this year.
Republican lawmakers said the governor is once again choosing larger government over the people.
“Sixty percent of you report living paycheck to paycheck, and 40% are worse off financially than last year thanks to disastrous liberal economic policies,” Rep. Barb Dittrich, R-Oconomowoc, said on social media. “But that doesn’t matter to your governor. He thinks he is better at spending your hard-earned dollars than you are.”
Sen. Julian Bradley, R-Franklin, echoed the same theme.
“How much longer do middle class families struggling with inflation have to wait until the governor gets his act together?” Bradley asked. “Tony Evers uses his veto pen to stockpile budget surplus dollars rather than return that money to the taxpayers who overpaid.”
Rep. John Macco, R-Ledgeview, said the Republican tax cut would have benefited most people in Wisconsin making more than $37,000 a-year.
“Gov. Evers would rather see the government grow than deliver meaningful relief to the hardworking people of Wisconsin. Another frustrating veto and another missed opportunity for Wisconsin,” Macco added.
Evers says he signed a tax cut back in July.
That tax cut applies to Wisconsin’s lowest and smallest, tax bracket – people making up to $18,420 individually or married couples making up to $36,840.
