Governor criticized for not doing what lawmakers won’t let him do

Damned if you do and damned if you don’t. That seems to be the position Wisconsin’s governor is in. Tony Evers this week proposed big tax cuts for Wisconsin residents, using the state’s huge budget surplus to pay for it. Republicans who control the Legislature are calling it an election year gimmick. The proposal does come just three months before the November election, but it is not like this is the first time Evers has proposed tax breaks. The problem is Republicans block him at every turn. Three months ago, Evers proposed using the state’s estimated $5 billion budget surplus to send a $150 check to every Wisconsinite as a way to help them deal with rising inflation. Republicans refused to even debate the idea during a special session on the issue. In fact, Evers proposed similar tax cuts in each of the past three years, which the Legislature blocked each time. Some suggest Republicans are blocking Evers latest plan in hopes Tim Michels wins the election, and Republicans can come up with their own tax cut plan and take credit for it. It shouldn’t matter who gets the credit. The latest plan would not only cut taxes by 10% for many filers, but also cap the costs of insulin, and repeal the state’s minimum markup law on gasoline. It is ironic that Republicans repeatedly block Evers’ plan for tax relief, then criticize him for not doing it. That is called obstructionist politics, and that does nothing to help the people of Wisconsin.