MADISON-Today, Representative Jenna Jacobson (D-Oregon) released the following statement after voting to deliver the state surplus back to Wisconsinites to lower property taxes, fund our schools, and give tax rebates to millions across the state.

Last night, the bill passed in the State Assembly but failed in the State Senate. Special Session Assembly Bill 1 would have given up to a $600 rebate for married couples, and up to $300 for individual tax filers. The bill would have increased the special education reimbursement rate to 42% and 50% over the biennium. The bill provided $50 million in property tax relief through increasing state aid to our technical colleges. Additionally, the bill would have removed taxes on tips and overtime.

“When I was elected to serve you in the Legislature, you asked me to deliver for our communities. Our property taxes are too high, our schools are underfunded, and we are struggling with the costs of everything. I voted yes to put more money back in your pocket, to put more money into our classrooms, and deliver no tax on tips and overtime. This was meant to be a step in the right direction. But we can do so much more.

“This bill was a band-aid for the years of failure by legislative Republicans to deliver for you, for our schools, and to provide real solutions to the problems facing our state. If this bill could have saved one of the 22 jobs planned to be lost in the Monroe School District, or prevented another referendum, it was worth the yes vote. While this bill was not the solution I would have chosen, it would have provided important one-time relief. 

“This session, I authored common sense permanent solutions to help lower your property taxes, fund our schools, and keep your money in your pocket. Unfortunately, the Republican majority failed to even give these bills a public hearing.” 

Those bills authored by Representative Jacobson included:

  • Assembly Bill 1176 would have increased the amount of funding distributed to school districts as state aid through the equalization formula by $445,949,400 to help ease property taxes.
  • Assembly Bill 48, the Healthy School Meals for All bill, would have helped schools provide free meals to their students.
  • Assembly Bill 423, a back-to-school sales tax holiday, would have helped make shopping for back-to-school necessities more affordable for families.