As I See It
Still no plan to return money to taxpayers
Where is the plan? And more importantly, where is our money? The state of Wisconsin is sitting on a record budget surplus of about $7 billion. The state has been holding on to all that cash for nearly a year. Other states with a big surplus, like Minnesota, chose to return some of the money to taxpayers in the form of a rebate. Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers proposed the same thing when he called lawmakers into a special session a year ago. But the Republican-controlled Legislature said no after refusing to even consider it. Meeting adjourned. The problem is, they haven’t said what their plan is to give us back our money and they continue to hoard it. Some floated the idea of a flat tax, but they couldn’t find enough support, even within their own party. As part of his budget proposal, Evers offers a specific plan for using some of the surplus to cut taxes by 10 percent for the average filer. But Republicans who control the Legislature have been more than vague about their plans, because so far, there aren’t any. This is our money they are sitting on, and it is well past time for our elected officials to figure out a plan they can accept to return it to the taxpayers.
Carol Herlitzka
June 2, 2023 at 10:50 am
Liberals. Want to give our tax dollars to the immigrants, cell phones, paid for by us, free food and lodging? What the hell next!!! People take your heads out of your rear ends and get rid of these Communist parties.they are liers cheaters stealers pedifiles drug dealers they hate the USA. Give back the money we paid.
Maybe you idiots want to give up some or all of your money. You are sure not worth your salaries to keep you employed!!?
People think before you vote these stupid idiots back in office. Vote consertive. Not for china!!?
Linda
June 2, 2023 at 7:35 pm
Conservatives are the ones that dont want to give us our money not liberals. The republicans are a majority and control the legislature if you didnt catch that in the story
Linda Rodriguez
June 2, 2023 at 7:42 pm
CAROL–It’s the republican controlled legistature that doesnt even want to release it. Read the article again maybe you’ll see it if you read again.
Pamela Greer
June 7, 2023 at 11:31 am
Well I bet if it was direct payments to wisconsin residents then THE REPUBLICANS would be more then happy..can’t trust the leftist with anything actually no government
walden
June 4, 2023 at 1:18 pm
Wisconsin has a surplus. Thanks to conservatives. That is a good thing.
If the Dems had been in charge Wisconsin would have a deficit having spent every penny in sight and wondering where it all went. We would be looking at higher taxes and fees.
A thoughtful period of planning where the surplus can be spent best, followed by hopefully some rebate to taxpayers is worth waiting for. As I see it.
Rick Solem
June 5, 2023 at 2:39 am
Minnesota, with a split legislature and Democratic governor, has a $17 billion budget surplus. Michigan, in same position as Wisconsin, has a $10 billion surplus. All stemming from the same things, COVID funding from feds, increased tax revenue due to inflated costs, as well as more taxes collected due to expanding corporate profits.
walden
June 5, 2023 at 9:48 am
I agree the surplus was amassed during a period of split government in MN, but now with both legislative chambers and the governor in dem column, MN DFL is looking to spend the surplus as well as introduce additional taxes in the future.
MN already has the 6th highest taxes in the country. WI is ranked #32.
TOM FITZPATRICK
June 5, 2023 at 9:12 am
The surplus doesn’t come from Republicans in control of the legislature. The surplus comes from the federal government generated for Covid relief and to compensate for the negative economic effects of Covid. Republicans want to give most of the surplus to the wealthiest taxpayers in Wisconsin–you know those people and corporations that fund their campaigns.
walden
June 5, 2023 at 6:05 pm
Nope. Covid funds don’t account for the surplus in WI and even less so in MN.
Most of the Covid funds are already spent. Not all of it was Dem grift; some of it went to actual additional expenses caused by Covid. That is, extra covid funds were largely sopped up by extra covid expenses.