Madison – Wisconsin taxpayers are the big winners in the bipartisan budget approved by the Legislature and signed by Governor Evers. Instead of the nearly $3 billion in tax hikes in Governor Evers’ original budget plan, taxpayers will now save $1.5 billion – including the elimination of taxes on natural gas and electricity, tax cuts for retirees, and several items that directly help our area.
“We are putting working families first,” Kitchens said, “Our plan cuts taxes for working families, makes sustainable investments in child care, and provides significant increases in special education funding for our schools.”
The bipartisan budget will:
- Cut over 300 total positions in state government
- Eliminate taxes on natural gas and electricity
- Create a retirement income tax exclusion
- Provide $30 million for Tourism general marketing
- Eliminate an entire tax bracket
- Create a state film office in the Department of Tourism
The budget also includes several motions authored by Representative Kitchens including:
- The largest percent increase in special education reimbursement rate in state history
- Funding for Rep. Kitchens’ landmark reading reform bill, Act 20
- $150 million for the Agricultural Road Improvement Program to help maintain rural roads
- Allowing Sturgeon Bay to collect a voter-approved premier resort tax to maintain local infrastructure
- $2 million for remediation of the Kewaunee Marsh
- $800,000 annually for the cover crop rebate program, which encourages more use of cover crops that benefit soil, surface water and groundwater
- More funding for state parks through a $5 increase in nonresident campsite fees
“We are delivering a bipartisan, affordable, and sustainable budget that is good for taxpayers, working families,” Kitchens said, “The budget isn’t perfect, but there is a lot to like for our area.”
Representative Kitchens represents Door County, Kewaunee County, and parts of Brown County.
