Madison, WI—Representative Jerry O’Connor (R-Fond du Lac) released the following statement in response to Governor Evers’ Budget Address:
“I came to Madison to advocate for the people of Fond du Lac. They overwhelmingly want to keep more of their hard-earned money and have less government intrusion in their lives. Unfortunately, Governor Evers’ budget proposal last night was more of the same old unbelievable liberal wish list that would take our state backward.
The Governor’s proposal is a combination of smoke and mirrors. His claim to reduce taxes by $2 billion is misleading. He is reducing your property taxes while increasing taxes by over $3.7 billion. Wisconsin would end up with some of the highest income tax rates in the country.
Evers wants to hire 1,300 new bureaucrats and increase state spending by $20 billion, which is an increase of more than 14% over the current budget. Would this budget work in your home? Using simple math, you ask, how can you balance your checkbook when you increase spending by $20 billion and increase taxes by $3.7 billion? Answer: You can’t.
Free things are great until the bill comes due, and Evers’ $119 billion boondoggle will have to be paid with higher taxes on every middle-class Wisconsin family earning more than $39,150 per year. The only thing missing from Evers’ massive transfer of wealth is a Santa suit.
Most Americans recognize the need to rein in spending, as we see in Washington daily. Wisconsinites also want to know that we are doing the same in Wisconsin by demanding accountability for the money your government is dishing out. The way to bring this accountability from our government is by following the money.
For over a decade, Wisconsin Republicans have worked to protect our state’s taxpayers and improve our fiscal condition. This has resulted in the highest rainy day fund ever and tax cuts of over $31 billion while investing significantly to ensure schools have more money than ever before and that local roads and bridges are being repaired.
For this budget, I look forward to working with my colleagues to continue our responsible budgeting, which has saved taxpayers billions while investing in the priorities and values of Fond du Lac.”
