Madison, WI – The Wisconsin Assembly meets in special session this morning to consider LRB-6707/1, a bill negotiated between outgoing Governor Tony Evers and Republican legislative leadership that spends down the state’s current, estimated $2.3 billion budget surplus. Barring the biggest economic boom in Wisconsin in decades, it will also likely create a multi-billion deficit.

Fiscal analyses from the Legislative Fiscal Bureau show that the proposed bill would disproportionately fund higher wealth school districts, provide the bulk of tax breaks to households making six figures, and fail to give any tax relief to hundreds of thousands of people in need.

According to figures provided by LFB, LRB-6707/1 would:

  • Send almost half of the total refunded taxes to households making over six figures;
  • Fail to provide any tax relief at all for approximately 1,360,000 people, including seniors and low income households;
  • Give people making less than $30,000/year an average check of $45.24;
  • Give those making less than $15,000/year an average check of $.74 (seventy four cents), with most receiving nothing. 

Rep. Ryan Clancy (D-19) released the following statement:

“This rushed plan to spend down Wisconsin’s temporary budget surplus will widen Wisconsin’s wealth gap while failing to provide any stability for our K-12 public schools, or fair tax relief for those who need it most. It’s no coincidence that Governor Tony Evers, Speaker Robin Vos, and Majority Leader Devin LaMahieu are all retiring – they’re leaving this mess for the rest of us to clean up. If we make the mistake of passing it into law, that will be Governor Evers’ unfortunate legacy, and the legacy of anyone who votes for it.

There are few positive things to say about this bill package that aren’t accomplished better, and much more responsibly, by AB 1176. I proudly co-authored and introduced that bill with my colleagues Representative Christian Phelps and Representative Angelina Cruz, in consultation with educators and experts. It would fairly, sustainably fund our K-12 schools and actually fix our broken special education reimbursement system. It builds on the positive features of our general aid equalization formula, while Governor Evers and Speaker Vos’ proposal creates a new, sloppy tool for funding schools – one practically waiting to be misused by future, even less responsible Governors and legislatures. We should consider and pass AB 1176, and move on from this undemocratic, reckless proposal as quickly as possible.”