Governor Evers Announces Details of His Tax Cut Proposal

Wednesday, February 15th, 2023 -- 10:01 AM

(By Danielle Kaeding, Wisconsin Public Radio) Gov. Tony Evers announced new details of his proposal to cut taxes by more than $1.2 billion in the next two-year state budget on Sunday as Wisconsin’s budget surplus has topped $7 billion.

According to Danielle Kaeding with Wisconsin Public Radio, Evers first proposed the tax cut last August that includes a 10 percent state income tax cut for the middle class. Individuals making less than $100,000 and married couples or joint-filers making at or below $150,000 would benefit from the proposal.

Evers said the proposal would provide $839.6 million over the budget for low- and middle-income residents with an average cut of more than $200 annually for 1.9 million filers.

"I've said all along that we'd deliver real, responsible tax relief targeted to the middle class and working families, not spending big on breaks for the wealthiest 20 percent of earners in our state who don't need the extra help affording rising costs," Evers said in a news release.

The plan requires approval from the Republican-controlled Legislature. During Evers' campaign for governor, GOP leaders criticized the proposal as an election year gimmick.

Since then, Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu, R-Oostburg, and Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, have urged the adoption of a flat income tax with LeMahieu proposing a flat 3.25 percent income tax rate.

A flat income tax would give the biggest tax cuts to the wealthiest Wisconsinites, as in a progressive tax system wealthier families and individuals pay a higher share of taxes above a certain level of income.

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