State of Wisconsin Archives: on Tax Reform
Alex Lasry:
Corporate tax breaks for companies doing the right thing
Instead of handing out corporate tax breaks across the board, we should only be rewarding companies that are doing the right thing.
That means paying more than a $15 an hour minimum wage, keeping their supply operations in the United States, and being active partners in the communities that they do business in.
Source: 2022 Wisconsin Senate campaign website AlexLasry.com
Nov 16, 2019
Alex Lasry:
Wealthy must pay fair share, but also focus on raising wages
I want to bring a new way of thinking that ensures that the wealthy pay their fair share while also prioritizing raising wages.
Just increasing taxes on wealthy Americans will not put more money into the pockets of working people. We must focus on raising wages just as much as fixing the tax code.
Source: 2022 Wisconsin Senate campaign website AlexLasry.com
Nov 16, 2019
Bob Harlow:
10% increase for those making more than $1 million
Q: What are some of the things you hope to do as Congressman?A: I would stand by a 10 percent increase in the tax of Americans making more than $1 million a year in what would result in a highest marginal tax rate of 40 percent for that bracket.
In the 1950s under Eisenhower, it was 91 percent. Another thing is to raise $1 billion to send 20,000 students to public colleges and universities with free tuition, room and board.
Source: Stanford Daily on 2018 Wisconsin governor debate
Apr 5, 2016
Chris Larson:
Don't allow pass-through companies option to reduce taxes
Legislative Summary:SB883: This bill allows pass-through entities to elect to be taxed at the entity level for purposes of the state's income and franchise taxes. Under current law, pass-through entities
are generally not subject to the income or franchise tax at the entity level. Rather, any item of income, loss, or deduction flows through to their shareholders who are then subject to tax.Analysis by The Capital Times:
This bill primarily deals with transportation issues and state highway funding. It also includes provisions that benefit certain companies, including partnerships and limited liability corporations, by effectively allowing them to reduce their tax
burdens by choosing how they are taxed under state law.
Legislative Outcome:Passed Senate 18-15-0 on Dec/4/18; State Sen. Chris Larson voted NO; Passed Assembly 58-26-15 on Dec/4/18; Signed by Governor Scott Walker on Dec/14/18
Source: The Capital Times on Wisconsin voting record SB883
Dec 4, 2018
Glenn Grothman:
Tirelessly pursue lowering property and income taxes
Senator Glenn Grothman is an outspoken leader in the Wisconsin Legislature on advocating and implementing tax cuts across the board. Glenn believes the only way to grow the economy is to give more money back to the hard-working taxpayers.
One of Glenn's greatest legislative accomplishments is the Manufacturing and Agricultural Tax Credit. This credit will essentially make manufacturing and agriculture, the foundation of Wisconsin's economy, tax free.
This is one of the most significant pro-jobs tax change that the state legislature has enacted.
Glenn has also tirelessly pursued lowering the property and income taxes. He was proud to vote for
$2 billion of tax relief in the last two legislative sessions. His goal in Congress is to lower income taxes across the board to provide relief for over-taxed families throughout the 6th Congressional District.
Source: 2014 Wisconsin House campaign website, GlennGrothman.com
May 31, 2014
Kathleen Vinehout:
$1.7B in business tax breaks should shift to schools
Democratic state Sen. Kathleen Vinehout has actually put a number on the cost of all income and property tax cuts, manufacturing credits, and other tax breaks: $1.7 billion.
To her, these are giveaways that may not even sway the decisions companies make about where to invest. That investment would do much more for the state's long-term economic health if it went to public schools, she argues.
Source: Christian Science Monitor on 2018 Wisconsin Governor race
Nov 3, 2016
Kelda Helen Roys:
Support a progressive tax structure
Q: Do you support or oppose the statement, "Higher taxes on the wealthy"?
A: Strongly Support a progressive tax structure
Source: OnTheIssues interview of 2018 Wisconsin Governor candidate
May 5, 2018
Leah Vukmir:
Lower tax rates for everyone
Leah supports a Balanced Budget Amendment to the Constitution. To pay for all their spending, Congress has created a complicated federal tax code.
Thousands of pages long and burdensome for many Americans, Leah believes we must streamline the tax code by eliminating loopholes and deductions, while lowering tax rates for all Americans.
Source: 2018 Wisconsin Senatorial website LeahVukmir.com
Oct 15, 2017
Leah Vukmir:
It's garbage that Trump tax cuts only benefited the wealthy
Q: Support President Trump's tax cuts?Tammy Baldwin (D): No. Overwhelmingly benefited the wealthy & major corporations.
Leah Vukmir (R): "Tired of garbage talking points that these tax cuts will only benefit the wealthy."
Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on Wisconsin Senate race
Oct 9, 2018
Mandela Barnes:
Make corporations and wealthy people pay their fair share
Barnes has frequently talked about his support for Medicare for All, the Green New Deal and making corporations and wealthy people pay their fair share. He's traveled the world pushing action on climate change. Progressive groups like
Democracy for America, the Progressive Change Campaign Committee and the Working Families Party all endorsed his candidacy within hours of its existence. Sen. Elizabeth Warren endorsed Barnes this week.
Source: NBC News on 2022 Wisconsin Senate race
Sep 19, 2021
Mandela Barnes:
We must make the Child Tax Credit permanent
We must also make the Child Tax Credit permanent. This monthly tax cut--one of the biggest tax cuts for working families in modern history--is already delivering
$300 a month per child to hundreds of thousands of Wisconsin families. That money can be the difference between buying your children back-to-school supplies and them going without.
Source: The Capital Times OpEd for 2022 Wisconsin Senate race
Aug 26, 2021
Mandela Barnes:
Expand Child Tax Credit, Earned Income Tax Credit
- Mandela will give the middle class a tax cut. He'll expand the Child Tax Credit, the Earned Income Tax Credit, and other tax cuts so middle class families can keep more of what they earn.
- Mandela will pay for it by ensuring the wealthiest
among us pay their fair share--unlike Ron Johnson, whose greatest achievement in Washington was a tax bill that delivered more than $200 million in tax breaks for some of his wealthiest donors alone, while leaving working people in the dust.
Source: 2022 Wisconsin Senate campaign website MandelaBarnes.com
Jul 31, 2022
Mike Gallagher:
Replace broken tax code with modern and simple one
Unnecessary regulations and taxes are reducing wages, killing Wisconsin jobs, and forcing our businesses overseas. Not only do we need more family-friendly tax rates, but we also need to replace our outdated, broken tax code with one that is more
modern and simple. We need to cut the lobbyist-written special interest loopholes and lower rates so working families in Wisconsin can keep more of what they earn. I will fight the career politicians and bureaucrats to cut the ever-growing regulations.
Source: 2016 Wisconsin House campaign website MikeForWisconsin.com
Nov 8, 2016
Phil Anderson:
Lower taxes for everyone
Q: Do you support or oppose the statement, "Higher taxes on the wealthy"?
A: I'll fight to repeal the state income tax, crony capitalism like the Foxconn deal, and lower taxes for everyone.
Source: OnTheIssues interview of 2018 Wisconsin Governor candidate
May 18, 2018
Rebecca Kleefisch:
Reduce property tax for homeowners; end for small business
- Eliminate the Personal Property Tax on small businesses. This would provide $200 million per year in relief.
- Reduce the property tax burden on homeowners.
- Prioritize transformational income tax reform.
-
Block any raise in the state gas tax. Evers proposed increasing the gas tax by 36% and raising it by inflation every year thereafter.
Source: 2022 Wisconsin Gov. campaign website RebeccaForGovernor.com
Apr 3, 2022
Sarah Godlewski:
Supports an Elizabeth Warren-style wealth tax
I'll fight for a wholesale rewrite of the tax system, starting with an Elizabeth Warren-style wealth tax. Space-seeking mega-billionaire Jeff Bezos can buy a $500 million superyacht while paying a 1.1% effective federal tax rate, so a
2% tax on wealth of $50 million and above seems reasonable. And reversing Donald Trump and Ron Johnson's tax giveaways to the ultra-wealthy--a modest 2.6% increase for the richest Americans--will generate $110 billion over the next decade.
Source: The Cap Times on 2022 Wisconsin Senate race
Jul 19, 2021
Scott Walker:
Reduced property taxes by $141 in 4 years; more coming
I am proud to say property taxes on a typical home were $141 lower in December of 2014 than they were four years ago. That's right; property taxes are literally lower than they were in 2010. How many Governors can say that?If property taxes had grown
over the past four years at the rate they did between 2006 and 2010, a typical homeowner would have paid $385 more in property taxes this past December. Over the last four years combined, the cumulative difference is more than $800. That's real money.
We heard you loud and clear. Thanks for all of the nice notes and emails and calls to tell us how your property taxes went down. My pledge to you is that property taxes four years from now will be lower than they were in 2014.
We reduced income and employer taxes, too. And we started taking less out of paychecks for withholding last April, so you could keep more of your hard-earned money.
Source: State of the State address to 2015 Wisconsin Legislature
Jan 13, 2015
Scott Walker:
Reduce property, income and production tax burden
Tonight, I am proud to say that property and income taxes are down from where they were when we took office. We didn't just slow the rate of increase; we actually reduced the tax burden from where it was five years ago.
We also helped farmers and manufacturers in our state with a production tax credit that is phased in through this year. This helps some of our most important industries.
Source: 2016 State of the State speech to Wisconsin legislature
Jan 19, 2016
Scott Walker:
Cut $8 billion in taxes, mostly for higher earners
Q: Increase taxes to pay for public services?Tony Evers (D): Yes. Open to raising taxes on wealthy to pay for public services.
Scott Walker (R): No. Has cut $8 billion during two terms. Cuts skewed toward higher earners.
Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on Wisconsin Governor race
Oct 9, 2018
Tammy Baldwin:
Get rid of loopholes for outsourcing and capital gains
Asked about specific spending cuts each would make, Baldwin said she would "get rid of deductions and loopholes that encourage outsourcing of U.S. jobs and the ability to write off moving expenses for those taking overseas jobs."
She would also eliminate the ability of "Hedge Fund managers to get their tax rates at 15 percent."
Source: Madison Agri-View on 2012 Wisconsin Senate debates
Oct 4, 2012
Tammy Baldwin:
Trump tax cuts overwhelmingly benefited the wealthy
Q: Support President Trump's tax cuts?Tammy Baldwin (D): No. Overwhelmingly benefited the wealthy & major corporations.
Leah Vukmir (R): "Tired of garbage talking points that these tax cuts will only benefit the wealthy."
Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on Wisconsin Senate race
Oct 9, 2018
Tammy Baldwin:
Tax plan that rewards hard work
Sen. Baldwin and Sen. Booker have announced a tax reform plan. "Tax reform needs to reward hard work, raise incomes and help working families keep more of what they earn. Too many people are being left behind by Washington and The Stronger Way
Act starts helping them get ahead," said Baldwin in a statement. "The Stronger Way Act offers tax reform to reward work and a new partnership to invest in local jobs programs that will help raise incomes for working families."
The Baldwin-Booker plan would also expand the EITC to workers without dependent children as a way to boost income for workers and to ensure they aren't taxed into poverty.
More than 20 million workers without dependent children would be affected by a EITC expansion. The duo estimates that a 30-year-old worker without dependents making roughly $12,500 a year currently receives an EITC of about $180.
Source: ThinkProgress.org on 2022 Wisconsin Senate race
Oct 6, 2017
Tammy Baldwin:
Trump tax bill only helps rich who don't need the money
We need to reform our tax system, but it can't just help mega-corporations and Donald Trump's friends and family. This shoddy legislation is an absolutely shameful display of Republicans' priorities that gives permanent tax cuts to those who don't
need them and writes provisions appearing to benefit everyone else with disappearing ink, once again forcing Americans to hand over their hard-earned pay so the wealthiest people in this country can get tax breaks they don't need.
Source: 2022 Wisconsin Senate campaign website baldwin.senate.gov
Oct 16, 2019
Tim Michels:
Compete by reducing corporate and individual income taxes
Compete with neighboring states by reducing corporate and individual income taxes to attract and retain more talent in Wisconsin.
Eliminate the personal property tax.
Source: 2022 Wisconsin campaign website MichelsForGovernor.com
Aug 12, 2022
Tom Tiffany:
Allow pass-through companies option to reduce tax burden
Legislative Summary: SB883: This bill allows pass-through entities to elect to be taxed at the entity level for purposes of the state's income and franchise taxes. Under current law, pass-through entities are generally not subject to the
income or franchise tax at the entity level. Rather, any item of income, loss, or deduction flows through to their shareholders who are then subject to tax.Analysis by The Capital Times: This bill primarily deals with transportation
issues and state highway funding. It also includes provisions that benefit certain companies, including partnerships and limited liability corporations, by effectively allowing them to reduce their tax burdens by choosing how they are taxed under state
law.
Legislative Outcome: Passed Senate 18-15-0 on Dec/4/18; State Sen. Tom Tiffany voted YES; Passed Assembly 58-26-15 on Dec/4/18; Signed by Governor Scott Walker on Dec/14/18
Source: The Capital Times on Wisconsin voting record SB884
Dec 4, 2018
Tommy Thompson:
Limit federal revenue to 18.5% of GDP; and 15% flat tax form
Thompson announced plans to revise the federal tax code. Thompson says he first wants to make George W. Bush's tax cuts permanent. He'd also like to limit federal revenue to 18.5% of the gross domestic product.
Thompson would also like to introduce a 15% flat tax form.
Source: WLUK-TV FOX 11 News on 2012 Wisconsin Senate debates
Apr 9, 2012
Tony Evers:
Raise taxes on wealthy to pay for public services
Q: Increase taxes to pay for public services?Tony Evers (D): Yes. Open to raising taxes on wealthy to pay for public services.
Scott Walker (R): No. Has cut $8 billion during two terms. Cuts skewed toward higher earners.
Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on Wisconsin Governor race
Oct 9, 2018
Tony Evers:
Provided a 10% tax cut for Wisconsin families
Finally, I delivered on my campaign promise for a 10-percent tax cut for Wisconsin families. The People's Budget, together with Assembly Bill 251,
provided more than $500 million in tax relief for working, middle-class families. That's money back in your pockets, folks.
Source: 2020 State of the State address on Wisconsin voting record
Jan 22, 2020
Tony Evers:
15% middle class tax cut of largest in state history
We've also been working hard to keep more money in Wisconsinites' pockets. Last year, we provided $480 million in tax relief for Wisconsin businesses and families affected by the pandemic. Republicans and Democrats also found common ground, and
I was glad to deliver on my promise to cut taxes for middle-class families by 15% by signing one of the largest tax cuts in state history. Through all of the tax cuts I've signed into law, 86% of Wisconsin taxpayers will see a 15% income tax cut.
Source: 2022 State of the State Address to the Wisconsin legislature
Feb 15, 2022
Tony Evers:
Big tax breaks for wealthiest 20% of earners is reckless
I want to work together on a budget provision that will send a total of up to 20% of the state's sales tax revenue back to our local communities for shared revenue. It means more than half a billion dollars more per year in new resources
to invest in key priorities like EMS, fire, and law enforcement services, transportation, local health and human services, and other challenges facing our communities.
So, cutting taxes is part of our agenda, just as it has been for the past four years. We've kept more money in Wisconsinites' pockets and delivered the largest tax cut in state history--and we can do more. But I also want to be clear tonight:
splurging $3.5 billion to hand out big breaks to the wealthiest 20 percent of earners isn't responsible, folks; it's reckless. Spending billions on a flat tax isn't a workforce plan or an economic development plan.
Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the Wisconsin legislature
Jan 24, 2023
Scott Fitzgerald:
Allow pass-through companies option to reduce tax burden
Legislative Summary: SB883: This bill allows pass-through entities to elect to be taxed at the entity level for purposes of the state's income and franchise taxes. Under current law, pass-through entities are generally not subject to the
income or franchise tax at the entity level. Rather, any item of income, loss, or deduction flows through to their shareholders who are then subject to tax.Analysis by The Capital Times: This bill primarily deals with transportation
issues and state highway funding. It also includes provisions that benefit certain companies, including partnerships and limited liability corporations, by effectively allowing them to reduce their tax burdens by choosing how they are taxed under state
law.
Legislative Outcome: Passed Senate 18-15-0 on Dec/4/18; State Sen. Scott Fitzgerald voted YES; Passed Assembly 58-26-15 on Dec/4/18; Signed by Governor Scott Walker on Dec/14/18
Source: The Capital Times on Wisconsin voting record SB883
Dec 4, 2018
Scott Walker:
Allow pass-through companies option to reduce tax burden
Legislative Summary: SB883: This bill allows pass-through entities to elect to be taxed at the entity level for purposes of the state's income and franchise taxes. Under current law, pass-through entities are generally not subject to the
income or franchise tax at the entity level. Rather, any item of income, loss, or deduction flows through to their shareholders who are then subject to tax.Analysis by The Capital Times: This bill primarily deals with transportation
issues and state highway funding. It also includes provisions that benefit certain companies, including partnerships and limited liability corporations, by effectively allowing them to reduce their tax burdens by choosing how they are taxed under state
law.
Legislative Outcome: Passed Senate 18-15-0 on Dec/4/18; Passed Assembly 58-26-15 on Dec/4/18; Signed by Governor Scott Walker on Dec/14/18
Source: The Capital Times on Wisconsin voting record SB883
Dec 14, 2018
Eric Hovde:
Everybody should pay some level of tax, even a small amount
In 2017, Sunwest Bank CEO Eric Hovde advocated for reforms that would raise taxes for 72 million Americans, including retirees and low-income earners. "Everybody should pay some level of tax, even if it's a small amount,
and you don't want people just getting checks, without having put in even $1 into the system." Hovde said. "Everybody has to feel like they're part of it and taxes matter to them."
Source: American Journal News on 2024 Wisconsin Senate race
Dec 7, 2023
Eric Hovde:
Get the rich and powerful to pay their fair share
I will support legislation to get the rich and powerful to pay their fair share while the incumbent is against all taxation except the property taxes, sales taxes and franchise taxes we are all inundated with in Wyoming. He supported, co-sponsored and
voted for the federal income tax cut scam enacted in the previous administration that cut billions off the tax bills of the rich and powerful while raising my taxes and all lower income folks' taxes, 10%.
Source: Oil City News on 2024 Wisconsin Senate race
Aug 2, 2024
Tony Evers:
Signed tax relief primarily targeted to the middle class
Cutting taxes has been a bipartisan priority over the last six years. I have proposed middle-class tax cuts in every budget I have introduced as governor. And the Legislature sent me back some proposals I agreed with, including one of the largest tax
cuts in state history. All told, through the income tax cuts I've signed into law, most Wisconsinites have seen a 15 percent income tax cut or more, and folks will see $1.5 billion in tax relief each year, primarily targeted to the middle class.
Source: 2025 State of the State Address to the Wisconsin legislature
Jan 21, 2025
Page last updated: Feb 07, 2026