MacIver News Service | October 11, 2013
[Madison, Wisc…] After Gov. Scott Walker announced his plan to provide Wisconsin homeowners with $100 million in property tax relief, legislators were quick to praise or belittle the plan. Here is what some members of the legislature had to say:Assembly Speaker Robin Vos (R-Rochester):
“Our sound fiscal decisions continue to pay off for the state. We’ve made one of the largest income tax cuts in state history, invested in the right priorities, and can now give property owners more relief. The budget reforms that have been working for the past three years helped reverse the trend of sky-rocketing property tax bills.”
Assembly Minority Leader Peter Barca (D-Kenosha):
“Middle-class taxpayers certainly deserve relief after Republicans gave their hard-earned money away to unaccountable private voucher schools, wealthy special interests and a health care plan that costs more and covers fewer people. But it’s questionable at best as to whether the plan Republicans announced today would even do that.”
Sen. Glenn Grothman (R-West Bend):
“As Wisconsin’s Economy continues to outperform expectations, and sales and income tax collections were greater than expected, the idea of having property taxes drop on an average house for the third year in a row is brilliant. As someone who watched property taxes spiral out of control for decades, this will come as a welcome shock to Wisconsin taxpayers.”
Rep. Brett Hulsey (D-Madison):
“Wisconsin is among the states with the highest property taxes in the nation for homes according to the Tax Foundation because politicians like Governor Walker have cut funding by almost $1 billion for our school children and schools. For him to throw in $100 million the year before his election is disingenuous at best and chickenfeed at most.”