Madison, WI – Today, the Assembly convened for a special session to vote on a bill introduced by retiring leadership- Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu, and Governor Tony Evers- to address the State’s budget surplus. The bill provides short-term school funding and potential rebate checks to property taxpayers. Representative Miresse voted NO on the bill along with the majority of Assembly Democrats.
Following adjournment, Rep. Miresse (D-Stevens Point) released the following statement:
“As one of the most bipartisan lawmakers in the Capitol, I believe in compromise. That being said, I am not willing to cut off my nose to spite my face. Wisconsinites deserve better than what is proposed in this bill. As families see the cost of gas, healthcare, groceries, housing, childcare, and utilities skyrocket, they need more than a one-time check, election year gimmick. Nearly 1.4 million residents, wouldn’t even receive a “rebate” check under this proposal. The bill would send a “rebate” to the wealthiest Wisconsinites but leave seniors on social security and low-income people out in the cold. A one-time rebate check is not the solution to the cost-of-living crisis that Republicans have built over the last fifteen years.”
“The proposal delivers a fraction of the property tax relief families deserve. For the median value home in Wisconsin ($312,000), property owners will only see approximately $107 in savings for 2027. That’s only $8.91 a month, less than 2 gallons of gas. If you’re a renter, you get nothing.The short-term gain is not worth the long-term impact. The deal between the outgoing Republican leadership and Governor will create a $2.9 billion structural budget deficit by 2029, which will only be made worse if Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress continue to gut essential programs and spend taxpayer dollars on foreign wars.”
“Believe me, I understand that our local schools and property owners are hurting and really need this money. However, for the last fifteen years, Republicans have deliberately manufactured the school funding crisis, stolen your pubic tax dollars and put it in the private, voucher schools which has resulted in raising your property taxes to fund the education your kids are entitled to. And now, instead of tackling the structural issues in our education funding system, Republicans and the Governor want to put a band-aid on an amputation. This proposal won’t stop the need for future funding referendums. It just kicks the can down the road and guarantees future property tax hikes.”
“Wisconsinites deserve better than a plan schemed up behind closed doors between three retiring politicians.”
