MADISON – State Representative Dean Kaufert [R—Neenah] issued the following statement after State Senators voted to block a $1.8 Billion tax relief and school funding bill, using part of the state’s available budget surplus. The bill was negotiated between Governor Evers and Legislative leaders.

“After 26 years in the State Legislature I thought I had seen it all, but unfortunately I guess not. Having had a few days to reflect on the special session last week, I am left to wonder what happened and why on earth anyone would vote to block a bipartisan agreement that would have provided significant tax relief to families and funding for our schools that our citizens desperately need now.”

“One of the things I hear often talking to constituents around the Fox Valley is ‘why can’t the elected officials work together to do what’s right for people in Wisconsin.’ This was example of just that – the Governor and Legislative Republicans working to compromise on a plan to help taxpayers and our schools – but a handful of Senators decided they’d rather play political games, instead of doing something positive for Wisconsin. And all the people of Wisconsin lost because of it.”

“While you will hear a bunch of excuses and political spin from the Senators that voted no and blocked this bipartisan plan, the bottom line is this: they want to keep the $1.5 Billion in direct tax relief and the $300 Million in additional funding for our schools down in Madison to spend on more government next year, not return it to you or help our local schools. They put politics before people and students,” Kaufert said.

“Don’t let anyone who voted against this tax relief plan ever fool you into believing they’re trying to help working families struggling to afford the high cost of property taxes. The radical Democrat State Senators that voted unanimously to stop this bipartisan property tax relief bill don’t want one dime of this surplus to go back to the taxpayers who paid it in and could use it right now,” Kaufert added.

“It’s a stunning statement on how radically far left Senate Democrats have become that they now refuse to even work with Gov. Evers – the Governor from their own party – because they think he is ‘too conservative.’”

“While no bill or negotiated plan is ever perfect, this one was a very good deal for all Wisconsin residents and that is why it was a clear yes vote for me. If you wait for the perfect bill that solves every problem everywhere, nothing will ever be passed or get done or be solved. That’s why so little gets done in government these days. When you get the chance to make a positive difference you do it, and then go back to work to help do more.”

Kaufert noted that the bipartisan tax relief and school funding plan would have provided:
– $1.5 Billion in total tax relief to Wisconsin residents
– $300 tax surplus payment ($600 for a couple) to every resident who filed a tax return to help offset property tax increases
– $350 Million in direct property tax reductions on your next bill
– $232 Million to eliminate state income taxes on overtime and tips
– $315 Million increase to public schools over the next two years

He noted that school districts in his district lost out collectively on $19.5 Million in additional state funding over the next 2 years because of our State Senator’s “no” vote, based on data provided by the non-partisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau (LFB).
– $4.5 Million for Neenah Joint School District
– $2.9 Million for Menasha Joint School District
– $ 12.1 Million for the Appleton Area School District

And further that the residents of Neenah, Menasha, Fox Crossing, Appleton, and Town of Neenah lost out on more than $9.2 Million in property tax reductions next year – in addition to the $300 surplus payment to every resident.