The Legislature’s Joint Committee on Finance has completed nearly three weeks of deliberations as the process continues toward the adoption of the $76 billion 2017-19 budget.
Meanwhile, Assembly Republicans have released a Road to the Flat Tax proposal that includes extending the sales tax to motor fuel, reducing the gas tax, repealing prevailing wage, and phasing in reductions in the individual income tax rates, eventually reaching a flat 3.9% in 2029. The authors described the proposal as a “starting point” so we can expect it to be substantially modified.
The Fiscal Bureau says the proposal will increase the cost of gasoline by over $400 million over a two-year period – not acceptable to many of our friends in the Legislature.
A solution to funding transportation and reforming the tax code will continue to be a top priority for the Legislature and NFIB over the next few weeks.
Whatever solution chosen by legislators will impact every taxpayer in Wisconsin. Please be sure your elected officials have the benefit of your views.
Bill G. Smith
State Director
NFIB Wisconsin
