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Madison, Wisconsin (AP) — Madison, Wisconsin (AP) — Democratic Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers gave his Republican-controlled Congress twice his priorities last month.
Some are apparently dead on arrival, but in other areas Evers and Republicans are willing to compromise on how to spend the state’s unprecedented budget surplus, estimated at more than $7.1 billion on Wednesday. It seems that
Here’s a closer look at where things are.
Where are Evers and Congress closer?
Evers and Republicans support more funding for Wisconsin counties, cities, towns and villages. Evers initially called for a 4% increase in funding using the current formula, but Republicans are taking a new approach of diverting some of the state sales tax to fund local governments. talked about
On Tuesday, Evers appeared to support a Republican plan to use up to 20% of the state sales tax to pay local governments. State sales tax is 5 cents on the dollar. This plan equates to him spending a penny for every five cents in local government taxes.
The Wisconsin County Association, Wisconsin Federation of Cities and Cities and the Wisconsin Towns Association said in a joint statement. “It’s unprecedented to see our state’s top leaders working together to invest in our communities and make Wisconsin stronger tomorrow.”
Local governments have urged voters to approve tax increases more frequently in recent years, arguing that state funding has not kept up with demand for services. According to the nonpartisan Wisconsin Policy Forum, the Shared Revenue Program, created in 1911 to fund local government, has remained largely unchanged for nearly three decades despite overall increases in tax revenues.
County and local government revenue sharing was cut in 2004, 2010 and 2012 and has remained relatively flat since then.
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where can we compromise?
Evers and Republicans both say they want tax cuts. The question is which taxes will be reduced and by how much.
A top Republican priority is setting a flat 3.25% income tax rate in Wisconsin. Evers and Democrats oppose the plan because it lowers taxes for the state’s richest residents, who tax him at 7.65% on incomes above $280,950.
Evers’ tax relief plan will reduce income tax by 10% for individuals earning less than $100,000 and for families earning less than $150,000.
Figuring out if they can compromise and what it looks like will be one of the bigger points of tension in this session. That’s $524 million less from his November estimate. Evers drew the ire of conservatives in his re-election campaign when he credited more than $2 billion in tax cuts created by Republicans under the last budget Evers signed into law.
Evers and Republicans can also find common ground in funding mental health services, childcare, and the fight against the so-called perpetual chemical pollution known as PFAS. proposed to inject more than $1 billion into
Republican House Speaker Robin Voss was skeptical.
“Governor Evers has literally thrown billions of dollars into some of these issues,” he said, referring to the Pandemic Relief Fund Evers has designated for similar issues. “I would love to see evidence to know if the investment actually paid off or if the money was just flushed down the toilet.”
Voss did not provide details of alternatives, but Republicans have cited these areas as priorities in recent years.
Evers has proposed $225 million in grant programs to train and attract new workers in high-demand sectors such as clean energy and healthcare. Republicans didn’t immediately support the governor’s idea, but they have historically supported funding for workforce development.
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where are they so far away?
Evers wants Congress to overturn the state’s 1849 law banning abortion. Republicans have repeatedly denied this.
Republicans say they want to clarify the law and make clear exceptions to protect mothers’ lives and cover cases of rape and incest. I vowed to reject the offer.
Evers wants marijuana legalized for recreational and medical use. Republicans support limited medical marijuana programs but oppose allowing recreational use.
Evers wants to accept federal funding to expand Medicaid. Republicans have rejected it dozens of times over the past 14 years and show no signs of changing course.
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