MADISON…State Representative Tyler August (R-Lake Geneva) voted in favor of the 2021-23 state budget bill. The biennial budget bill allocates state government spending over the next two years. The final version was crafted by Assembly Republicans and included a $3.4 billion tax cut focused on the middle class, fueled by a large surplus due to a strong economic recovery. The budget not only included billions in tax relief, but also historic funding for education, as well as increases for roads and health care facilities.
“Wisconsin is facing a large budget surplus, which means the government has collected too much of your hard-earned money,” explained August. “We made it a priority to return the surplus back to the taxpayers before the special interests in Madison can use it to grow government.”
The budget passed by Assembly Republicans was the polar opposite of the original budget bill proposed by Governor Evers. The budget proposed by Evers included a massive spending increase of nearly 10%, or $8.1 billion, while growing the government bureaucracy by over 300 full-time positions. Evers’ proposal also included $1 billion in tax increases as well as spending the state into a deficit despite starting with a large surplus.
“Only Tony Evers and his liberal Democrat allies in the legislature could burn through a healthy state budget surplus and turn it into a massive tax increase and deficit,” said August. “This year’s budget process has confirmed how out of touch Democrats in the Capitol really are as their appetite for growing government on the backs of hard working taxpayers has no bounds.”
On the other hand, the bill approved by Republicans takes Wisconsin in a totally different direction. The budget includes a $3.4 billion tax cut aimed at the middle class and main street. Specifically, the average Wisconsin taxpayer will see $1,200 in tax relief in the form of lower income taxes as well as lower property taxes. Additionally, over $200 million of the tax cut was targeted to reduce the tax burden of small businesses who are recovering from the pandemic shut downs.
The budget passed by the Assembly also reduces the number of state employees, invests record funding into K-12 education, increases road and infrastructure more than the governor’s proposal, and puts millions into hospitals and long term care facilities.
“This budget translates into meaningful tax relief for Wisconsin families and small businesses,” said August. “Reducing the tax burden while still ensuring we invest in our schools and roads is a huge win for our state moving forward.”
The bill passed on a 64-34 vote this week and now goes to the State Senate for its expected approval. Once passed by the Senate, the budget will go to Governor Evers for his signature or veto.
