(The Center Square) – Supporters of the $1.8 billion tax deal at the Wisconsin Capitol are going to have to find at least one Democratic vote to get the plan over the hump.
Sen. Chris Kapenga, R-Delafield, on Tuesday became the second Senate Republican to say he will not vote for the deal.
“After reviewing the details of the supposed “bi-partisan” agreement between the governor and outgoing legislative leaders, I feel it is a very bad deal for the people I work for. We have a one-time budget surplus that should be returned as a one-time refund to the Wisconsin taxpayers who were overcharged,” Kapenga said on X.
Kapenga joins Sen. Steve Nass, R-Whitewater, as the only two Republicans in the Senate to publicly oppose the deal.
Their opposition leaves Senate Republicans one vote short of being able to pass the package on their own.
It remains to be seen if any Democrats will vote for the package.
During Tuesday’s Joint Finance Committee meeting, all four JFC Democrats voted against the plan.
That vote came after Senate Democratic Leader Dianne Hesselbein said she does not support the tax rebates in the package.
“From my perspective, there is no deal,” Hesselbein, D-Middleton, said in a statement. “Senate Democrats will have more to say once we have seen the full details of this expensive proposal and have gotten some clarifying information on revenue projections in this time of significant economic uncertainty and upheaval.”
Democrats at the Wisconsin Capitol continue to say they want to see more money for Wisconsin public schools, but they say they cannot support what they are calling a “backroom deal.”
Gov. Tony Evers has said he wants a majority in the Wisconsin Senate, and he doesn’t care how lawmakers get there.
“I need a majority of each house, and whether that’s all Democrats, all Republicans, or a mix, I don’t care,” Evers said.
The proposal from Evers and Republican leaders in the Assembly and Senate would send $600 million to Wisconsin schools for both special education and to “buy down” local property taxes. Taxpayers would also see either a $300 or $600 tax rebate. And the plan would eliminate taxes on tips and overtime in the state.
The proposal is scheduled for votes in both the Assembly and Senate today.
