(The Center Square) – Republicans at the Wisconsin Capitol are hoping a smaller tax cut, divided into pieces, can get Gov. Tony Evers’ signature.
Assembly Speaker Robin Vos and Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu on Tuesday introduced a four-part package that would cut taxes by more than $2 billion.
“We know that we have a sizable surplus, and that Wisconsinites are suffering under still far too heavy a cost with inflation,” Vois said. “We have tried numerous times to reduce taxes, and unfortunately we have hit a roadblock many times because we put together a comprehensive package and Gov. Evers has found something to dislike in almost every one of the ideas that we put forward.”
Vos is hoping that by splitting the package into four individual pieces, the governor will sign one or more.
The first piece is the largest and would expand Wisconsin’s second tax bracket.
“Currently the second tax bracket ranges from $19,000 for married filing jointly up to $38,000. So, it’s a fairly small tax bracket,” Sen. Howard Marklein, R-Spring Green said. “Our proposal expands that second bracket from $19,000 to $150,000, for a married family filing jointly.”
Marklein said Evers has repeatedly said $150,000-a-year is middle class and has repeatedly said he wants to cut taxes for middle class families.
The other pieces would expand Wisconsin’s married couple income tax credit from the current $480 to $870, would essentially double Wisconsin’s child and dependent care tax credit up to $10,000 per child for child care and would make the first $150,000 of retirement income for a married couple tax free.
“As technology increases, and people can move, they have the ability to work from home, they have the ability to work remotely, and they can choose what where they want to live, what the weather is, what the tax code is, and what it means to them in their pocketbooks.” LeMahieu told reporters. “In Wisconsin, we’re simply being left behind by some of our neighbors. Illinois which has a more friendly tax code than us. Michigan which has a more friendly tax code than us. Iowa which has a more friendly tax code than us.”
Both Vos and LeMahieu said they’ve reached out to Evers to gauge his support for the tax cut plan, but said they did not get an answer.