MADISON… In response to the veto of Senate Bill 36, legislation which would have provided a state income tax exemption on qualified tips in Wisconsin, bill author Senator André Jacque (New Franken) issued the following statement:
“I am disappointed with Governor Evers’ decision today to veto the ‘No Tax on Tips,’ bill, a policy which he himself included in his proposed budget last year.”
“Had this legislation passed, this legislation would have mirrored the federal income tax exemption on tips enacted last year, a policy supported by both major presidential candidates, and which passed the United States Senate 100-0. Here in Wisconsin, we have been and will continue to tax income that even the federal government declines to do.”
“Tips are compensation to employees in the robust hospitality and tourism industries for the incredible service they provide. This proposal would have provided financial relief to many of those Wisconsin workers, at a time when the price of everything is continually going up and everyone is having a hard time making ends meet.”
“This legislation enjoyed broad bipartisan support, having passed the State Senate 21-12, and the State Assembly 60-31. The proposal also gained the organizational support of statewide business advocacy groups such as the Wisconsin Restaurant Association, the Wisconsin Grocers Association, Wisconsin Hotel and Lodging Association, and the National Federation of Independent Business. The measure is extremely popular throughout the state, with recent polling showing that 78 percent of Wisconsin voters support ending income taxes on tips.”
Representative Ron Tusler (Harrison) was the lead author in the Assembly.
Senator André Jacque represents Northeast Wisconsin’s First Senate District, consisting of Door and Kewaunee Counties and portions of Brown, Calumet, Manitowoc, and Outagamie counties.
