Governor Scott Walker is expected to propose tax cuts with new state revenue projections, in his state of the state address Wednesday night. Democrats have their own ideas. Senate Minority Leader Chris Larson said they’d like the governor to propose paying down the state’s projected deficits and paying down some of the increased bonding from the last state budget. “We’d like to see tax cuts, but we have to make sure that the essential obligations are taken care of,” said Larson.
Larson and Assembly Minority Leader Peter Barca said they met with Walker on Tuesday to discuss the new revenues, which are 911 million more than earlier projected. They’d also like to see some of the money directed towards education and job training programs. “What we’re calling for is a balanced approach,” said Barca. “Cleary Wisconsin has been struggling in jobs. We went from being 11th in the nation when the governor took office to 38th, and that’s not good for anybody.
Walker has indicated that he wants to use the new revenue and the ensuing state surplus to provide income and property tax relief. He’s not expected to provide details until after Wednesday’s address before a joint session of the legislature, and Barca and Larson said he didn’t provide them with details on Tuesday.”
“Obviously property taxes are a problem,” said Barca. “They raised property taxes, and we believe that you should focus that money on property tax relief that helps the average Wisconsin citizen.”
