Madison – Today, the Senate approved the 2019-21 state budget. The proposal lowers the tax burden while increasing funding for education, infrastructure, and providing care for the vulnerable. When combined with separate legislation (AB-251) passed today, the Senate approved more than $450 million in income tax relief for Wisconsin families.
“The Legislature’s two year budget lowers taxes for hard-working families while still funding core priorities like education, infrastructure, and healthcare,” stated Sen. Devin LeMahieu (R-Oostburg).
Additionally, the budget makes a historic $156 million investment into local roads. This includes a 10% increase for general transportation aids and uses surplus dollars to provide a $90 million one-time boost to fix and repair local roads in Towns, Counties and Municipalities.
“Thanks to prudent budgeting and a strong economy, Wisconsin has a surplus,” continued LeMahieu. “This budget invests a portion of that surplus into asphalt and concrete to repair local roads.”
Other highlights from the budget include a $25 million increase in technical education paired with a $12.5 million increase in worker training programs to help fill the workforce demands of a thriving economy, a $71 million increase in nursing home reimbursement to assist in serving the elderly, and a record $291 million investment from the projected surplus into the state’s Rainy Day fund.
“Our unemployment rate is at or below 3% for the last sixteen months. Wisconsin’s growing economy has created a $700 million surplus. This gives the Legislature the opportunity to invest in Wisconsin while providing relief to taxpayers,” concluded LeMahieu.
Senator Devin LeMahieu (R-Oostburg) represents the 9th Senate District, which includes portions of Sheboygan, Manitowoc, and Calumet Counties. He is a Member of the Joint Committee on Finance.
