PHOTO: Courtesy of WLUK
OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – After vetoing three republican-backed tax credit bills on Friday, Governor Evers is siding with republicans on one issue. He approved an increase in aid to families that utilize child care.
Governor Evers visited an Oshkosh daycare facility on Monday afternoon, hours after signing a bill that would increase Wisconsin’s child care tax credit.
The governor not only touting the importance of centers like this when it comes to the state’s economy, but also making sure help is available for working families.
Under the bill, the state child care tax credit expands to 100% of the claimants’ federal child care tax credit, up from only 50%. And, the amount of maximum eligible expenses under the state credit would grow from $3,000 to $10,000 for one child. Families with two or more kids can claim up to $20,000, an increase or more than $10,000.
“Obviously it helps parents afford child care, but at the end of the day we have to help the operators of child care,” said Gov. Evers.
The child care tax credit comes as the governor rejected three other tax credit bills. The bills vetoed by the governor would have expand the state’s second or middle class income tax bracket, increased the marriage credit and increased income exemptions for retirees.
According to Evers, “We were fearful we were going to have to repay some money to the federal government but also it was going to take just a huge amount of money that was needed for childcare, is needed for our schools and a number of other areas that we have to be concerned about.”
While Republicans are pleased the governor agrees with them, and signed the child care tax credit, they feel more needs to be done to get Wisconsinites their hard earned money back.
By not approving tax breaks for retirees, married couples and middle-class families, republicans are concerned about the kind of message that sends to people who want to work and live in Wisconsin for generations to come.
“We need to do everything we possibly can to retain our workforce in our state. We’re at the crisis level, it’s an issue across the board whether it’s here Outagamie County or down in other parts of the 55th, it is absolutely critical that we are retaining as many people as we can here,” said State Rep. Nate Gustafson from Fox Crossing.
While the governor said he’s not concerned his vetoes will lead to people leaving Wisconsin, state republicans say they’ll continue to work to get Wisconsinites the money they worked for an deserve.
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