MADISON – In his 4th Budget Address that could have been confused with his former failed stump speech for President, Governor Walker continued to neglect working individuals and families by once again failing to set forth a robust economic agenda that works for all Wisconsinites. A 2015 study by Pew Charitable Trust showed that Wisconsin experienced the largest decline in middle class families in the country.
Rep. Chris Taylor (D-Madison) released the following statement:
“What low and middle income working individuals and families need are good paying jobs and a raise. What low and middle income working individuals and families need is a real tax break, which could be easily funded by repealing the millions of dollars in tax breaks going to big corporations and the most wealthy. Instead, under this Governor and this GOP-controlled Legislature, families currently making $29,000/year are being taxed at exactly the same rate as families making $326,000/year.
“It’s embarrassing that Wisconsin families making between $38,000 and $91,000 are paying the largest share of their family income on local and state taxes, and the top 1% of earners pay the lowest.
“Despite the Governor’s rhetoric, middle class individuals and families are not winning.
“What low and middle income working individuals and families need is a serious investment in their communities, their roads and their public schools. Instead, Governor Walker proposed more borrowing for our roads and approximately $3,000 more state money to private school students than our public school students. For Madison schools, the Governor conditions more money for our public school students, after his largest cut to public education in Wisconsin’s history, on paying teachers less. Our state should be able to do both.
“Throughout this budget cycle, I will continue to advocate for a Working Families Bill of Rights, which focuses on bringing economic prosperity to our low and middle income individuals and working families that continue to have to work harder and longer just to get by.”