Contact:
Ethnie Groves, Office of the Governor, 608-261-2156
New Republican Proposal Could Cut Education By As Much As $716 Million
“I have proposed a plan to freeze property taxes the
responsible way – combining strict limits on tax increases with significant
new funding for schools and local governments that will take the burden off
property taxpayers. My plan not only protects taxpayers, but it also
protects education and vital services like police and firefighters.
“To freeze property taxes the responsible way, the state
first must meet its commitment to schools and local services. My plan does
that – providing $850 million for schools and property tax relief. The
Republican plan doesn’t provide a dime for education or local governments,
and could cut public schools by as much as $716 million over the next two
years alone.
“Yesterday, Republicans received a report from their own
Fiscal Bureau which shows that my plan actually freezes property taxes for
the average homeowner. Instead of embracing this report and working to pass
my responsible plan, Republicans hit the political panic button.
“I made it crystal clear in my budget speech that I would
veto any plan that forces deep cuts in education and local services. That
hasn’t changed.
“In my budget speech, I challenged Republicans to show the
people of Wisconsin that property tax relief is more than just a campaign
slogan to them. Unfortunately, Republicans just didn’t get the message.
The people of Wisconsin don’t want more slogans and gimmicks, they want real
property tax relief that doesn’t destroy the quality of schools and local
services. I urge Republicans to get serious and work with me to provide
responsible tax relief for Wisconsin’s homeowners.”
A copy of the Legislative Fiscal Bureau report is available
at: http://www.legis.state.wi.us/lfb/Misc/021505_comparison.pdf.
