State Rep. Peter Barca
Press Release

Assembly Democrats unveil a more responsible alternative to Gov. Walker’s spending plan

Proposal includes more funding for middle-class property tax relief, job training, rainy day fund

By - Feb 6th, 2014 01:00 pm

MADISON – Today Assembly Democrats unveiled an alternative to Gov. Walker’s proposal to spend the state’s projected surplus in hopes of finding agreement on a more fiscally responsible plan that returns more money to middle-class taxpayers. The plan will invest in the core priorities of working families in Wisconsin, increase economic security through the state’s rainy day fund – all while saving taxpayers more money than Gov. Walker’s plan.

Assembly Speaker Robin Vos has publicly said that Assembly Republicans are eager to rubberstamp “the governor’s plan as soon as possible.” Assembly Democrats will still share details with any legislators, including leadership, who are interested in discussing a plan that will provide greater relief for middle-class property taxpayers and a more fiscally responsible approach for better long-term economic stability for our state.

“Democrats believe we should take a balanced approach to the projected surplus – training people for available jobs, saving more for the future and targeting more tax relief to the middle class and those struggling to become middle class,” Assembly Democratic leader Peter Barca said. “Our proposal would give real relief to hardworking middle-class taxpayers and – with fuller investment in job training – help Wisconsin improve on its 37th-in-the-nation job ranking under Gov. Walker. We believe these changes deserve strong bipartisan support and consideration and we will hope our Republican colleagues will join us in making them happen.”

The Assembly Democrats’ proposal will include:

  • Double the proposed deposit to the rainy day fund;
  • Nearly triple the funding for job training to help workers fill available jobs; and
  • 70 percent more property tax relief targeted to middle-class families using the First Dollar Credit.

Full details of the plan will be drafted in the form of an amendment before the Assembly votes on the governor’s plan on Tuesday.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.

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