MADISON, WI (WTAQ) – An area lawmaker says the time is now to eliminate the state’s income tax, and the suggestion is drawing a lot of attention from people across the state.
Appleton Republican State Sen. Roger Roth says the time is right because Wisconsin is now projected to have a $3.8 billion surplus at the end of this budget cycle. MacIver Institute President Brett Healy says removing the income tax could add to that economic boon.
“We need to dramatically cut taxes to, like the senator suggests, leap ahead of a lot of other states in the Midwest,” Healy said. “There’s been some discussions lately that in order to cut taxes we need to increase taxes elsewhere…This news is proof positive that there’s no need for tax shift, we just need a substantial, genuine cut in taxes at the state level.”
Healy is hopeful that Roth can follow through on the plan and initiate the conversation in Wisconsin. However, he’s not holding his breath on seeing such a proposal pass – at least, not this year.
“Governor Evers has shown in the past his reluctance to sign any sort of tax cuts. He signed the one, but I’d be doubtful that he would sign any additional tax cuts in an election year. His base is not looking for that, his base is looking for more government spending,” Healy said.
Evers is running for re-election this coming November. The field of Republican candidates vying to run against him continues to grow.
