Two top state GOP lawmakers today warned party activists that a Dem trifecta could lead to a top income tax rate of more than 17%, a single-payer health system and government-run grocery stores.

State Sen. Pat Testin and state Rep. Tony Kurtz, both members of the Joint Finance Committee, pointed to legislation co-sponsored this session by Rep. Francesca Hong, a Dem candidate for governor.

Kurtz, R-Wonewoc, said states like California, New York, Illinois and Minnesota are seeing mass migration because of their policies and warned Wisconsin would see the same if Dems had their way on state tax policy.

“They have taxed to the max, and we are in a society where people are tired of being taxed and they move,” Kurtz said. “That is exactly what will happen in Wisconsin. If they get a trifecta. Hang on.” 

The state’s top individual income tax bracket is now 7.65%. Hong introduced legislation this session that would take that to 8.65% and add a new tax bracket of 17.3% for those with income of at least $750,000 for individuals and $1 million for married couples. She also introduced a bill that would create a Wisconsin Public Food Administration Authority whose mission would include supporting local governments in the development and operation of public grocery stores.

Testin, R-Stevens Point, told the crowd to look at Minnesota, which he said spent a $17.5 billion surplus and raised taxes with a one-seat majority in the state Senate.

He promised to run “aggressive campaigns and strip the bark off Democrats and show voters how they truly are and what they are about.”

“Don’t Minnesota our Wisconsin,” he said.