Gov. Evers Delivers Radio Address Highlighting Work to Lower Out-of-Pocket Costs for Working Families as Sales Tax on Residential Utility Bills Ends

Audio File of Radio Address.

MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers today delivered his weekly radio address highlighting his plan to lower energy bill costs for Wisconsin’s working families, a crucial piece of which went into effect yesterday, Oct. 1, 2025.

Thanks to the bipartisan, pro-kid budget Gov. Evers enacted this summer, Wisconsin residents will no longer pay sales and use tax on electricity and natural gas consumed in their homes, helping to lower out-of-pocket costs on energy and utility bills across the state. The proposal, which Gov. Evers originally proposed in the Executive Budget he introduced in February, is projected to save Wisconsin households more than $178 million over the next two years.

The governor’s announcement is welcome news as President Trump and Republicans in Congress continue to pursue policies that will cause costs to go up for Wisconsinites across the state. As families and communities face devastating federal cuts to basic needs programs, as well as efforts to gut measures that help lower out-of-pocket costs for working families, Gov. Evers is working to lower everyday, out-of-pocket costs for working families, from lowering the cost of child care to expanding healthcare access, especially in rural communities, to cutting taxes for middle-class families. More on Gov. Evers’ efforts to lower costs for working families across the state is available here.

Hey there! Governor Tony Evers here.

Folks, Wisconsinites are hard workers by nature—it’s in our DNA. But I don’t have to tell all of you that paychecks aren’t going as far as they used to.

There’s no doubt about it—families are feeling the squeeze of tariff taxes and trade wars that are causing prices to go up on things like school supplies, groceries, clothes, and other household items.

While families and communities face devastating cuts to federal programs, including basic needs programs like Medicaid and food security programs, and efforts to gut tax credits that make everyday costs like healthcare and household utilities more affordable.

Here in Wisconsin, we’re working to lower costs for working families and give folks a little extra breathing room in their household budgets.

And I’m proud the budget I signed into law this summer is already helping lower everyday out-of-pocket costs for working families by eliminating the sales tax on household utility bills.

Starting this week, folks will no longer see sales tax on their utility bills, keeping more of your hard-earned money in your household budget.

Over the next two years alone, eliminating the sales tax on utility bills will help reduce energy costs for families and save Wisconsin households over $178 million.

And while Republicans cut taxes for millionaires and corporations, our budget cuts taxes for Wisconsin’s working and middle-class families and retirees.

And while Republicans continue to make healthcare less accessible, less affordable, and threaten tax cuts that help families afford healthcare coverage, we’re working to make sure Wisconsinites have the healthcare they need—especially in rural areas.

Folks, household budgets are already stretched too thin, so I am going to keep working to lower everyday out-of-pocket costs from child care to healthcare so Wisconsinites don’t just get by but can get ahead.

Thank you.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.