MADISON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Next month marks the official start of the 107th Wisconsin Legislature.
Lawmakers will be tasked with coming up with a budget for the 2025-2027 biennium, where the state’s $4 billion surplus will be in the spotlight.
Republicans like Assemblymen David Steffen and Nate Gustafson are eyeing tax breaks that didn’t make it through in the last budget.
“We’re open to different ways in which we deliver this tax cut, and certainly we need to have Democrat buy-in, but this will be a necessary first step before we’re willing to move forward on additional budget compromises,” said Rep. Steffen, R-Howard.
State Republican leadership would like to pass a tax cut of about $2 billion. In the last budget, GOP lawmakers passed a $3.5 billion income tax cut, but Governor Tony Evers brought that down to $175 million.
Democrats like newly-elected State Senator Jamie Wall say they are in favor of tax cuts, but only when they benefit those who could use them the most.
“Who needs the money more and who should benefit? It’s regular people who are working hard and scraping buy,” said Wall, D-Green Bay.
Rep. Gustafson, R-Fox Crossing, highlighted a middle class income tax break and no tax on overtime as priorities.
“This is really what’s going to jumpstart a lot of the young folks that are still here in our state that want to stay here and give them that opportunity, for not just working ahead to get by, but working ahead to stay ahead,” said Gustafson.
Lawmakers are preparing themselves to show up at the table, where both sides will need to come together to get things done. Newly-elected lawmakers, such as Wall, will be sworn into the Legislature Jan. 6.
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