[Madison, WI] Rep. Callahan voted in favor of a bipartisan deal struck between Governor Evers and the GOP Legislature to use the state’s budget surplus to fund special education, provide income tax rebates, lower property taxes, and eliminate taxes on tips and overtime. State Representative Calvin Callahan (R-Tomahawk) released the following statement:
“After months of negotiations between Governor Evers and Republicans in the Legislature, we came to an agreement to help our schools and send this ‘surplus’, essentially overtaxed dollars, back where it belongs in the people’s wallets. When the bill came to a vote in the Assembly, I voted yes, and the bill passed with votes from Republicans and Democrats. Unfortunately, the Senate failed the people of Wisconsin by caring more about politics and killing the bill, preventing the proposal from reaching the Governor’s desk.
“This deal included over $300 million for general school aid and $50 million for technical college aid, which would have been subtracted from school districts’ revenue limits, reducing property taxes by an equal amount. We also included $315 million for special education reimbursements, bringing the reimbursement rate to 50% for school districts’ special education expenses. Finally, and most importantly, this deal would have delivered
meaningful tax relief with $300 income tax rebate checks going to more than 3 million Wisconsinites, in
addition to the permanent elimination of taxes on tips and overtime.
“My friends and neighbors in the 35th Assembly District talk with me all the time about rising property taxes
and the cost of living. While this deal wasn’t perfect, it did provide property tax relief and put money directly
back into the pockets of taxpayers, where it never should have left. Many objections to this proposal were that it
didn’t do enough, and I agree, but you can’t get everything you want in a negotiation. I am disappointed that
some people let that stand in the way of delivering affordability to the people of Wisconsin.”
