OP-ED: Governor Evers’ Plan for the $6.6 billion Budget Surplus is Right for Wisconsin

Gov. Evers has proposed using the surplus to give a 10% middle class tax cut to Wisconsin families, and would provide $600 million in tax relief to hardworking Wisconsinites. The governor’s plan would also cap the copay for insulin at $35, and help with rising costs by putting money right back in our families' pockets. 

closeup on $100 bill with $50 bills
closeup on $100 bill with $50 bills

Imagine a Wisconsin where all of our schools and community resources are sufficiently funded, and local families don’t have to choose between keeping the lights on, putting food on the table, or paying for medical care.

That’s a future we can attain if our Republican majority state legislature puts partisanship aside and works with Gov. Tony Evers to pass his plan to use Wisconsin’s projected $6.6 billion budget surplus.

Gov. Evers has proposed using the surplus to give a 10% middle class tax cut to Wisconsin families, and would provide $600 million in tax relief to hardworking Wisconsinites. The governor’s plan would also cap the copay for insulin at $35, and help with rising costs by putting money right back in our families’ pockets.

But, obstruction from conservative legislators is leaving the money sitting unused in Madison, where it isn’t helping any of us. Instead of working with Gov. Evers to deliver for us, Republican leaders are proposing a tax scheme that, according to a recent analysis by state economists, would actually raise taxes on lower income earners and the middle class while massively benefitting only the wealthiest – who are already not paying their fair share in taxes.

Gov. Evers’ strong fiscal management and bold investments have gotten us through the last few years and landed us in a great fiscal position – and most of us believe when things are working, it’s worthwhile to do more of what you’re doing well.

That’s why voters re-elected Gov. Evers on November 8, and that’s why it’s time for Republicans in our legislature to work together with our governor to continue Wisconsin’s economic strides and put more money in families’ pockets.

# # #

A Better Wisconsin Together is a state-based research and communications hub for progressives and is an affiliate of ProgressNow.

wisconsin republican tom tiffany talking with his mouth open
wisconsin republican tom tiffany talking with his mouth open

Tom Tiffany’s Terrible Health Insurance Plan: Less Coverage

Tom Tiffany has a lot of terrible ideas, but higher costs and less coverage for critical health care services are a couple of his worst

Wisconsin Assembly Chamber
Wisconsin Assembly Chamber

Republican Abortion Bill Author Reveals Legislation’s True Intent: Attempt to Fix Their Partisan Political Problem

‘This is Appallingly Cynical Politics’

Maria Lazar's face
Maria Lazar's face

Maria Lazar’s Bizarre Campaign Drops Mask of Moderation Just in Time for Halloween

Right-wing Judge Maria Lazar kicked off her bizarre campaign for the Wisconsin State Supreme Court with a roll-out video that attempted to cloak her extremism, going so far as to not utter the word 'conservative.' But Lazar’s bizarre attempt at moderation didn’t last long.