MADISON – Gov. Tony Evers signed the 2023-25 State Budget on Wednesday with a number of partial vetoes, including striking language that would have cut taxes for any individuals earning more than $25,520 and married couples earning more than $34,030. In total, his actions will raise taxes on these Wisconsinites by more than $3.3 billion over the plan approved by the state legislature.

Following the governor’s actions, Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce (WMC) President & CEO Kurt Bauer released the below statement:

“Instead of Wisconsinites getting $3.5 billion of their money back, Gov. Evers has all but eliminated any meaningful tax relief for middle-class families and small- and medium-sized businesses. This will hurt the state’s competitiveness for attracting and retaining both employers and a talented workforce.

“Hard-working middle-class families and employers who pay the individual income tax will be hurt most by Gov. Evers’ actions. With a nearly $7 billion surplus, it is unconscionable and embarrassing that Wisconsinites will not see substantial income tax reform. 

“While other states are enacting these forward-thinking reforms, Wisconsin is stuck in neutral. Reducing and flattening the state income tax would have brought us more in line with neighboring states – almost all of whom have a flat income tax of less than five percent.

“Gov. Evers sent a message loud and clear to everyone in the state today. As long as he is in office, Wisconsin will continue to be a high-tax state for middle-class families and the businesses that are the backbone of our economy.”