Governor Tony Evers recently announced his 2025-27 budget proposal which included tax and fee increases, new sales tax exemptions, tax credits, funding for public education, and a long list of policy objectives advocated by the Governor in his previous executive budgets.

The Governor is proposing over $1.3 billion in property tax relief, eliminating the tax on cash tips, enhancing the Earned Income Tax credit, and nearly doubling the personal income tax exemption which will save taxpayers $225 million over the biennium.

The Governor’s plan also creates a new tax bracket for taxpayers with incomes over $1 million which will increase revenue by $1.3 billion.

In addition to tax and spending issues, Governor Evers is also proposing a long list of policy initiatives including:

• Require employers to provide wage information for job postings.
• Create a task force to study and make recommendations to increase the minimum wage.
• Reestablish a Wisconsin prevailing wage law.
• Require all employers provide eight weeks of paid family and medical leave.
• Repeal the state’s Right to Work law.
• Establish mandatory penalties on employers for noncompliance with wage payment laws.
• Expand employment discrimination to include gender identity and expression.

According to estimates, the Governor’s budget would increase spending by 20 percent or nearly $119 billion over the next two years.

The budget legislation has been referred to the Joint Committee on Finance for review and revision.