“Going forward, my mind will be open to every solution—except one.  We should not – we must not – and I will not – raise taxes.”  – - Governor Doyle’s 2003 State of the State Address given when Wisconsin faced a $3.2 billion deficit

At a time when families are struggling to pay bills and keep their jobs, the Governor is proposing to add to their burden by raising taxes and increasing government spending ($4.5 billion) to record levels.  The nonpartisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau released a memo this week that detailed all of the fee and tax increases in the budget.  The tax and fee increases are roughly $1.5 billion and $240 million respectively.  These increases do not include $1.2 billion in tax increases that were in the budget repair bill proposed and passed by the Democrats in just 48 hours last month.

Some of the tax increases include:

·         the creation of a new income tax bracket that will raise income taxes over $300 million.

·         raising capital gains taxes $180 million.

·         increasing tobacco taxes by over $343 million which would make smokers pay roughly the same in taxes to the state of Wisconsin that corporations making over $10 million do.

·         increasing nursing home taxes on our elderly by $70 million.

·         raising gas taxes by $270 million.

Some of the fee increases include:

·         a gun purchasing fee increase from $8 to $30.  That is $15 higher than what was requested to operate the Department of Justice background check program.

·         an increase in boat registrations between $6 and $23 depending on boat size.

·         a waste fee increase by $48 million that will increase costs to consumers and small businesses.

The priorities of Wisconsin’s elected leaders should be creating jobs and easing burdens on families during this economic recession.  The Governor’s budget does neither.  Raising gas taxes will not create jobs; it will crush small businesses and truckers who use vehicles as an essential tool for business.  As well, families will see more of their hard earned money go in the gas tank instead of to pay other essential bills. 

Raising income taxes will not create jobs or ease burdens on families.  These taxes will give incentives to high income individuals to move out of the state leaving lower income families to foot the bill of every expanding government.  These policies outlined in the Governor’s budget are not good for the state of Wisconsin.  I will work to change these policies and continue to support job creating proposals that our state residents desperately need.

Currently the budget is being debated in the Joint Committee on Finance.  After the budget passes that committee, it will be voted on in the Assembly and Senate before it heads to the Governor’s desk for signing.  The budget could change at every step and be vetoed by the Governor as well.  The Democrats control the Joint Committee on Finance, Assembly, Senate, and the Governor’s office. 

Tax and Fee Memo from the Legislative Fiscal Bureau

Americans for Prosperity (AFP) is a nationwide organization of citizen leaders committed to advancing every individual’s right to economic freedom and opportunity. AFP believes reducing the size and scope of government is the best safeguard to ensuring individual productivity and prosperity for all Americans. AFP educates and engages citizens in support of restraining state and federal government growth, and returning government to its constitutional limits. For more information, visit www.americansforprosperity.org Americans for Prosperity-Wisconsin Chapter will be communicating with you pursuant to Wis. Stats 11.29(1)