Republicans Demand Return of Taxpayer Money
Republicans at the Wisconsin Capitol say the latest revenue forecasts show an even greater need to give taxpayers of the state their money back.
The Legislative Fiscal Bureau this week released new revenue estimates that show Wisconsin will end the current budget year with a larger surplus than first thought. The new numbers show the state will have $4.3 billion left over at the end of the fiscal year.
State Rep. Jerry O’Connor, R-Fond du Lac, said that’s even more money that should go back to the people.
“If you go into a store and purchase items for $18.00 and hand the clerk a $20.00 bill, are you entitled to the return of your $2.00? You receive change in every other area of money exchanges, but this is not true with your income taxes in Wisconsin,” O’Connor said in a statement.
Republicans in both the Assembly and state senate have said for years that they want to return the surplus to taxpayers.
Assembly Speaker Robin Vos said returning the surplus is his top priority for the new year.
O’Connor said that’s not likely to happen, though, because Gov. Evers wants to spend the surplus.
“If he follows through with his previous budget bills, he would spend the $4 billion surplus and then increase spending and taxes for another $4 billion. Instead of giving you change on your purchase of government goods and services, the governor informs you that he has a better use for your change. He has a better place to spend your money without asking you what you would do,” O’Connor added. “Wisconsinites and Americans are tired of reckless excess government spending. We need to hold dear to the conservative course of small government and small taxes.”
The Republicans who will write the next state budget, Joint Committee on Finance chairs Rep. Mark Born, R-Beaver Dam, and Sen Howard Marlein, R-Spring Green, on Wednesday said they too want to return the surplus to the taxpayers.
“Our substantial surplus remains here in the state coffers instead of the pockets of hard-working Wisconsinites for one simple reason; Governor Evers. His refusal to support meaningful tax relief has kept that money locked up here in Madison. Legislative Republicans remain committed to returning the surplus to the people who paid it, the taxpayers,” Born and Marklein said in a statement.
But they also issued a warning about the state’s $4.3 surplus, nearly $2 billion rainy day fund, and a robust revenue forecast going forward.
“While we are encouraged by these new estimates, we remain cautious as we head into the next biennial budget. Our cost-to-continue remains substantial and even with these expected revenue increases, we must remain vigilant when crafting a budget for Wisconsin,” the added.
Lawmakers are set to start working on a new state budget after the governor delivers his spending proposal in a few weeks.
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