As gas prices near $4 per gallon in Wisconsin and national inflation is highest in four decades, Republicans refuse to consider governor’s plan to send every Wisconsin family of four $600

MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers slammed Republicans in the Wisconsin State Legislature on Tuesday for refusing to even consider the governor’s plan to send every Wisconsin family of four $600 to help address rising costs at gas pumps and in grocery store aisles as businesses and industries face challenges getting supplies and resources. A report released last month showed national inflation is the highest it has been in four decades. According to the American Automobile Association, the average price of gas in Wisconsin is currently $3.942 per gallon compared to $3.377 just one week ago on March 1, 2022, and $2.646 per gallon at this time last year.

In January 2022, the nonpartisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau (LFB) released new projections indicating the state general fund balance will have a $3.8 billion surplus at the end of the 2021-23 biennium—nearly $2.9 billion more than was expected in June 2021. Additionally, the state currently has the highest-ever positive GAAP balance in state history at more than $1.1 billion while the state’s ‘rainy day’ fund sits at the highest level ever at $1.7 billion. Meanwhile, Wisconsin’s unemployment rate is at historic lows while the state currently has the fewest number of people who are unemployed ever.

Following the new projections, Gov. Evers announced a plan to refund the projected surplus to Wisconsin taxpayers, sending every Wisconsin resident a $150 surplus refund to help support Wisconsinites who are feeling the squeeze of rising costs of everyday items. Under the governor’s plan, every Wisconsinite would have received the full surplus refund, including for each of their dependents. A family of four, for example, would have received $600 under the governor’s proposal. Most Wisconsinites would have had to take no action to receive the refund, which would have been distributed through information provided by an individual on their tax returns.

After Republicans in the Legislature rebuffed the governor’s proposal, suggesting they would delay using any of the state’s historic surplus until the next biennial budget, which will likely not be passed until the summer of 2023, Gov. Evers announced in his State of the State address that he would sign an executive order calling the Legislature into a special session to take action on his surplus refund plan. 

Despite the urgent needs facing Wisconsinites and the state, Legislative Republicans today gaveled out of Gov. Evers’ special session to provide surplus refunds to every Wisconsinite in seconds without a single moment of consideration or debate. 

“Wisconsinites are feeling the pressure of rising costs, and they need action now—today—not months from now or a year from now,” said Gov. Evers. “Republicans are selfishly playing politics by sitting on a projected $3.8 billion surplus until next year while the people of this state watch prices on everyday items go up and gas is almost $4 a gallon. This is the people’s money. We should be doing the right thing and getting it back to them.”

In addition to measures aimed at addressing rising costs, Gov. Evers’ plan also included additional provisions aimed at reducing costs for childcare and caregiving—key proposals that would have helped support Wisconsin’s workforce and address barriers to employment. Gov. Evers’ plan proposed expanding the newly created Child and Dependent Care Credit from 50 percent of the federal credit to 100 percent. This would have provided nearly $30 million in tax relief to 107,000 Wisconsinites who claim the federal credit, or about $274 per filer. Most people eligible for the credit would have received up to $600 if they were claiming it for one qualifying individual’s expenses or $1,200 for two or more qualifying individuals’ expenses. Additionally, Gov. Evers proposed creating an income tax credit for qualified expenses incurred by a family caregiver. A majority of Wisconsinites are in income ranges that would have made them eligible for the credit and most filers would have received up to $500, while married-separate filers would have received up to $250. Moreover, the governor’s plan would have provided an estimated more than $100 million in tax relief to Wisconsinites who are experiencing increased costs and expenses caring for a family member. The governor originally proposed creating the Caregiver Tax Credit in his 2021-23 biennial budget, but the move was ultimately rejected by Republicans in the Legislature then, too. 

Finally, the governor’s plan would have also invested nearly $750 million into education at every level to continue improving school quality and address the state’s achievement gap while providing $188 million in property tax relief. Importantly, Gov. Evers’ plan would have also ensured the state met federal requirements and preserved more than $2.3 billion in federal aid for Wisconsin’s kids and schools. These funds have previously been jeopardized by the Legislature’s failure to meaningfully invest in education through the biennial budget process, and in January 2022, the LFB released a separate memo indicating the state is projected to fail to meet federal requirements for K-12 education funding in fiscal year 2022-23. Today’s failure by Legislative Republicans to act puts the state at risk of losing billions in federal funds for schools, again.

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A full description of the provisions included in Gov. Evers’ surplus plan that was rejected by Republicans Tuesday is available here.

MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers Tuesday released a statement regarding the passing of former Lt. Gov. Margaret Farrow who passed away today, March 8, 2022, at the age of 87. 

“Kathy and I are very saddened to hear of the passing of former Lieutenant Governor Margaret Farrow, whose distinguished career and service to the people of Wisconsin will go down in our state’s history books. Former Lieutenant Governor Farrow and I served on the Board of Regents together, and I was always grateful for her perspective and her kindness,” said Gov. Evers. “We offer our deepest sympathies and respects to her husband, John, County Executive Farrow, all the members of the Farrow family, as well as the many friends, neighbors, and colleagues who knew and loved her. We are thinking of them and wish them peace in mourning her loss.”

Former Lt. Gov. Farrow, mother of Waukesha County Executive Paul Farrow, served as the 42nd lieutenant governor of the state of Wisconsin under former Gov. Scott McCallum in 2001, making her the first woman to hold the position in Wisconsin state history. Prior to her service as lieutenant governor, she served for more than a decade in the Wisconsin State Legislature, including terms in both the Wisconsin State Assembly (1986-1989) and the Wisconsin State Senate (1989-2001). She also served on the University of Wisconsin Board of Regents (2013-2017).

A forthcoming executive order will lower the U.S. and Wisconsin flags to honor former Lt. Gov. Farrow when funeral arrangements have been announced.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/gas-pumps-s450.jpgGovernor Evers calls for urgent congressional action as average gas price per gallon in Wisconsin nears $4

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/gerrymander-elections-redistricting-s5.jpgSen. Smith writes about the Wisconsin Supreme Court’s decision on redistricting. While reflecting on this decision, we must continue working to establish a nonpartisan redistricting process in Wisconsin.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/real-estate-for.sale-s5.jpg$92 million program will provide mortgage, local property tax assistance, and support for essential utilities and internet costs to homeowners at risk of losing their homes.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/covid-19-restaurant-empty-s5.jpgMany Wisconsin restaurants are still struggling due to supply chain challenges, inflationary costs, and workforce challenges as the economy rebounds.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/wi-fair-maps-s5.jpgNew maps are slightly better than the 2011 maps and significantly better than the maps the Republicans rammed through the Legislature. But these are still not fair maps, says Rothschild, and the fight goes on.

MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers announced Friday his appointment of Michael Kenitz to the Washington County Circuit Court–Branch 3. The appointment fills the vacancy being created by Judge Todd K. Martens’ resignation, effective March 3, 2022. Kenitz will complete a term ending July 31, 2023.

“Mike Kenitz is a well-respected attorney with a broad range of experience in numerous practice areas,” said Gov. Evers. “His commitment to his community, combined with his legal experience, by all accounts will make him an excellent judge for the people of Washington County.”

Kenitz opened a private practice in his hometown of Hartford after graduating from law school in 2006. His primary areas of practice include criminal and traffic defense, family law, civil litigation, small claims litigation, landlord-tenant litigation, and estate planning, representing both individuals and small businesses. He also handles cases as a Guardian ad Litem in custody, placement, and guardianship disputes. In 2020, Kenitz was appointed to serve as a Supplemental Court Commissioner for Washington County.

“I am pleased Governor Evers has appointed Mike Kenitz to succeed me as Washington County Branch 3 Circuit Judge,” said Judge Martens. “I have known Mike since he started practicing law. Mike is a smart, honest, hard-working lawyer with a tremendous breadth of experience and an impeccable reputation in our legal community. The people of Washington County will be fortunate to have him preside over Branch 3; he will be a credit to the bench.”

A graduate of Marquette University and Marquette University Law School, Kenitz lives in Hartford with his wife and children. He is active with the Washington County Family Law Assistance Program and has served in leadership positions with the Washington County Bar Association. He has also been a youth football coach, served on the United Way of Washington County’s Board of Directors, and is the current President of the Sycamore Tree Daycare Center’s Board of Directors.

“It is an enormous honor to be selected to serve as the next judge of the Washington County Circuit Court, Branch 3,” said Kenitz. “I would like to thank Governor Evers and the members of the Judicial Selection Advisory Committee for their efforts and consideration for this appointment. I also want to thank my family, friends, and colleagues for their support. I look forward to faithfully serving the people of Washington County.”

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/volodymyr-zelensky-ukraine-s450.png90 percent support his leadership, stirring calls to defend Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression inspire nation.

MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers and First Lady Kathy Evers today announced the Executive Residence will be lit with blue and yellow lights at 7:30 p.m. tonight in solidarity with the people of Ukraine as they continue to resist Russia’s unprovoked military invasion.

“Tonight, Kathy and I are lighting up the Executive Residence in blue and yellow as we stand in solidarity with the people of Ukraine,” said Gov. Evers. “We join Ukrainian Wisconsinites and folks across our state and country in praying for the safety of the people of the Ukraine. We are keeping all of them, including the families fleeing to find refuge, in our thoughts.” 

The lights will be turned on outside the Executive Residence at 7:30 p.m. this evening. They will remain on for the foreseeable future.