Dear Friends,
Taxpayers got some bad news from Governor Tony Evers. This week, he vetoed a 10% middle-class tax cut. It's extremely disappointing that Governor Evers rejected the first bill we sent to his desk. He had a real opportunity to get a win and instead handed taxpayers a defeat. You can read more about how the governor's veto affects you below.
Speaking of Brown Deer, their girls basketball team plays in the WIAA State Regionals tonight along with nearly every high school in the 8th Senate District! Good luck to the ladies from Brown Deer, Hamilton, Germantown, Menomonee Falls, Homestead, Nicolet, Grafton, Whitefish Bay, Dominican, University School of Milwaukee, and Living Word Lutheran!
As always, if you have any concerns or ideas on how to improve our great state, please do not hesitate to contact me by phone at 608-266-5830 or by email at
Sen.Darling@legis.wi.gov
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On, Wisconsin!
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Governor Evers Vetoes Your Tax Cut
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After promising Wisconsin's middle-class a 10% tax cut on the campaign trail, Governor Evers is refusing to help taxpayers by compromising with Republicans. On Wednesday, Governor Tony Evers vetoed a plan that cut taxes using the state's projected $2.4 billion surplus. The governor's veto also breaks his promise of working with the Legislature.
Our plan took his promise and funded it. We would have loved to deliver more tax relief, but we tried to meet him halfway. In January, Governor Evers urged us to find bipartisan solutions. One month later, he's vetoing his first big chance at compromise.
The Republican Tax Cut Plan would:
- Expand the sliding scale standard deduction under the individual income tax beginning in tax year 2020.
- Target taxpayers with incomes under $100,000 who will receive 87.9% of the decrease
- Lower the tax bill for all filers on average $170
- Lower the burden for married joint filers on average $231
The plan offered by Democrats isn't fully funded and jeopardizes the state's economic turnaround with a huge tax hike on job creators. I hope we can try again in the state budget.
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Bill to Help Bereaved Parents Re-Introduced
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Parents of stillborn children testified at a public hearing in 2017
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Each year, around 300 families in our state suffer the heartbreak of a stillbirth. That's why I am re-introducing a bill that makes parents of a stillbirth eligible for a $2,000 refundable tax credit. The credit is designed to help address lost wages during the miscarriage and recovery.
A stillborn child is defined in statute as a miscarriage that occurs after at least 20 weeks of gestation. Parents of stillborn children undergo many, if not all, the same medical costs that parents of a healthy newborn child undergo. Yet, our tax code does not currently aid these bereaved parents simply because their child did not take their first breath.
Under federal law, parents receive a $1,000 tax credit for eligible children. If a child takes their first breath and then passes away, parents are still eligible for this credit. However, in Wisconsin, if a child is stillborn, parents are not eligible for this credit.
It's time Wisconsin join other states in ensuring our tax code recognizes the parents of a stillborn child. This tax credit is crucial to aiding these parents during one of the hardest times of their lives.
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Last session, Republicans took aim at the homelessness crisis in our state. We helped improve and streamline services to help people get off the streets and provide real help and real hope. We also created a state council to help coordinate our efforts.
That council created an
action plan that the
Wisconsin State Journal called “perhaps the state’s most coordinated, deepest attempt to prevent and curtail homelessness." This week, Republicans announced a series of bills based on that plan.
State Representative Jim Steineke and I are offering a bill that will add an additional $1 million over the next two years to help shelters expand, renovate, and pay their bills. We also create an incentive for shelters to responsibly transition people into permanent housing.
I am encouraged that Governor Evers is signaling support for our bill. It's my hope Wisconsin can be a national leader on ending homelessness.
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Wisconsin's Steve Stricker Named 2020 US Ryder Cup Captain
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Congratulations to Wisconsin's very own Steve Stricker who will captain the 2020 U.S. Ryder Cup team! Click on the video above to see his announcement, which he recorded near the State Capitol in Madison.
Steve is a wonderful choice, especially since the Ryder Cup will be held at Whistling Straits. Wisconsin is becoming a regular tour stop for the pros. In 2017, Erin Hills in Erin hosted the U.S. Open and more events are coming this year.
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Thanks to Milwaukee Area Technical College Engineering student Hunter Burazin for taking part in Wisconsin Technical College System Day at the Capitol this week! Hunter brought his project which mimics how stop lights work. He says the same technology is used to detect seismic activity in California.
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The 2019 Winter Carnival put on by the Menomonee Falls High School Student Council will be held on Sunday, February 24th in the Menomonee Falls High School Cafeteria from 11:00 am to 2:30 pm. The carnival is geared towards children ages 1-11 and is free to attend.
All activities and fun stuff require tickets which cost a quarter. There is also an all day bounce wrist band available to purchase for $10.00. The Booster Club will provide food to purchase. Proceeds benefit the Student Council Scholarship Fund.
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Click on the picture above to register!
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