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As I See It

No Wisconsin rebate or tax cut anytime soon

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It looks like we won’t be getting any of Wisconsin’s state surplus anytime soon. Republicans in Madison have a plan to return much of the now $4 billion surplus to taxpayers. This would not be a rebate, but changes to the tax code which backers say will put more money in the pockets of Wisconsinites. The bill, which passed out of committee and now heads to the Assembly, would lower the middle-income tax rate from 5.3% to 4.4%. Additionally, retirees earning less than $150,000 a year would be exempt from paying income taxes, encouraging them to stay in Wisconsin for their golden years. The average taxpayer would see a net reduction in their taxes of $772. But, not so fast. Governor Tony Evers has said he plans to veto the Republican tax plan if it passes the Legislature, claiming it would put the state on a path to bankruptcy. All this back and forth is getting us nowhere. Minnesota figured it out, using their surplus to send rebate checks to taxpayers. Most of those checks have already been cashed. In Wisconsin though, the state has been sitting on a surplus for two years, and just can’t come up with a plan that meets with democratic and republican support. At this rate another two years will pass, and the state will still be sitting on our money because our politicians can’t work together to come up with a plan that makes sense for everybody.

Scott Robert Shaw serves as WIZM Program Director and News Director, and delivers the morning news on WKTY, Z-93 and 95.7 The Rock. Scott has been at Mid-West Family La Crosse since 1989, and authors Wisconsin's only daily radio editorial, "As I See It" heard on WIZM each weekday morning and afternoon.

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4 Comments

4 Comments

  1. Greg

    September 8, 2023 at 6:38 am

    Evers is a typical Democrat. He says he’s for working people, but when it comes to lowering taxes he doesn’t want to give back our money.

  2. Not so Fast

    September 8, 2023 at 11:57 am

    A 20% decrease in middle income taxes and elimination of taxes for most retirees would certainly be welcome. Those retirees can’t even find a decent used car to purchase as a result of Dem (federal) policies.

    Bidenomics comes to Wisconsin.

  3. Walden

    September 10, 2023 at 12:53 pm

    Wisconsin’s highest tax bracket is among the 10 highest in the nation. Relief for retirees would be welcome.

    Article references the “average taxpayer.” Depending on how one arrives at such a definition the average taxpayer pays almost nothing in taxes.

  4. Carol Herlitzka

    September 20, 2023 at 8:26 am

    I say lets take retires over the age of 65 from paying school taxes. We have paid there for years. These are added to our property taxes..there are many states that do not charge them! Wake up wisc.

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