MONROE - Lt. Governor Rebecca Kleefisch sees no reason why Gov. Scott Walker's proposed Blueprint for Prosperity can't get bipartisan support in the state Legislature.
But clean passage of the proposal may hinge on pressure from the legislators' constituents who will benefit directly from the plan - mainly the taxpayers.
In his State of the State address Jan. 22, the governor announced his plan to turn more than $800 million of $911 million surplus revenue back into the hands of the taxpayers.
"I think it's logical," Kleefisch told The Monroe Times on Monday.
Kleefisch likened the governor's proposal to getting change back from a $20 bill for a $15 purchase.
"It's what the taxpayers paid in, but the state didn't budget for," she said.
The revenue amount in excess of budgeted spending is coming as a result of growth in Wisconsin's economy - a strengthening growth that the governor expects will continue in the future, Kleefisch pointed out.
That excess should "go back into the pockets of those who earned it, who expanded this economy," she added.
The job creating scene is also getting attention to continue the long-term stabilization of the economy, according to Mike Huebsch, Secretary of the Department of Administration, who accompanied Kleefisch.
"We are doing a deeper dive into the job numbers," he said.
While Walker opponents are quick to point out Walker isn't approaching his campaign promise to create 250,000 jobs in four years, they overlook his pledge to create 10,000 new businesses by 2015.
Nearly 13,000 new businesses have been created so far. Businesses registering with the state help keep track of the number, Huebsch said.
Those business types range from single proprietorships to large manufacturing companies and new technology companies like Comply 365 in Walworth County, Kleefisch noted.
Wisconsin, which has more manufacturing capabilities than any other state in the union, according to Kleefisch, is facing a skills gap.
Wisconsin Job Center's website, jobcenterofwisconsin.com, is currently pairing job seekers with employers, while the Wisconsin Fast Forward job training program is putting funds directly into training workers for a globally competitive future, she added.
Blueprint for Prosperity will increase Wisconsin Fast Forward by $35 million to reduce waiting lists at technical colleges and to help people with disabilities enter the workforce.
Walker is asking that the surplus funds already set aside from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation be used for the expansion of Wisconsin Fast Forward.
Mike Johnson, executive director for Green County Development Corporation, said he is excited about the training initiatives for people with disabilities.
"Programs like this are huge in the development of a productive and prosperous workforce for the state and Green County," he said.
But he's just as happy to see more funding going into Wisconsin's transportation and infrastructure.
"As we work to both retain existing business and recruit new business, having a quality and functional transportation network is critical," he said.
The return of tax revenue this year joins Walker's effort last year in returning $750 million in income and property taxes.
This year, the plan is even better, Kleefisch said.
The property taxes being reduced by $406 million is more than four times larger than the property tax relief passed last year.
Income taxes for the lowest tax bracket will be reduced by $100 million.
Starting in April, withholdings for state income taxes will be reduced by $323 million, so a typical family of four will see about $58 more each month in the paycheck.
And, that additional household income can be spent at the discretion of those who earned it, whether for necessity or for fun.
"A lot of people are going to be ordering gift boxes from Swiss Colony," Kleefisch said.
If the Blueprint for Prosperity plan is passed this year, the total tax relief provided since Walker took office will total roughly $2 billion.
But clean passage of the proposal may hinge on pressure from the legislators' constituents who will benefit directly from the plan - mainly the taxpayers.
In his State of the State address Jan. 22, the governor announced his plan to turn more than $800 million of $911 million surplus revenue back into the hands of the taxpayers.
"I think it's logical," Kleefisch told The Monroe Times on Monday.
Kleefisch likened the governor's proposal to getting change back from a $20 bill for a $15 purchase.
"It's what the taxpayers paid in, but the state didn't budget for," she said.
The revenue amount in excess of budgeted spending is coming as a result of growth in Wisconsin's economy - a strengthening growth that the governor expects will continue in the future, Kleefisch pointed out.
That excess should "go back into the pockets of those who earned it, who expanded this economy," she added.
The job creating scene is also getting attention to continue the long-term stabilization of the economy, according to Mike Huebsch, Secretary of the Department of Administration, who accompanied Kleefisch.
"We are doing a deeper dive into the job numbers," he said.
While Walker opponents are quick to point out Walker isn't approaching his campaign promise to create 250,000 jobs in four years, they overlook his pledge to create 10,000 new businesses by 2015.
Nearly 13,000 new businesses have been created so far. Businesses registering with the state help keep track of the number, Huebsch said.
Those business types range from single proprietorships to large manufacturing companies and new technology companies like Comply 365 in Walworth County, Kleefisch noted.
Wisconsin, which has more manufacturing capabilities than any other state in the union, according to Kleefisch, is facing a skills gap.
Wisconsin Job Center's website, jobcenterofwisconsin.com, is currently pairing job seekers with employers, while the Wisconsin Fast Forward job training program is putting funds directly into training workers for a globally competitive future, she added.
Blueprint for Prosperity will increase Wisconsin Fast Forward by $35 million to reduce waiting lists at technical colleges and to help people with disabilities enter the workforce.
Walker is asking that the surplus funds already set aside from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation be used for the expansion of Wisconsin Fast Forward.
Mike Johnson, executive director for Green County Development Corporation, said he is excited about the training initiatives for people with disabilities.
"Programs like this are huge in the development of a productive and prosperous workforce for the state and Green County," he said.
But he's just as happy to see more funding going into Wisconsin's transportation and infrastructure.
"As we work to both retain existing business and recruit new business, having a quality and functional transportation network is critical," he said.
The return of tax revenue this year joins Walker's effort last year in returning $750 million in income and property taxes.
This year, the plan is even better, Kleefisch said.
The property taxes being reduced by $406 million is more than four times larger than the property tax relief passed last year.
Income taxes for the lowest tax bracket will be reduced by $100 million.
Starting in April, withholdings for state income taxes will be reduced by $323 million, so a typical family of four will see about $58 more each month in the paycheck.
And, that additional household income can be spent at the discretion of those who earned it, whether for necessity or for fun.
"A lot of people are going to be ordering gift boxes from Swiss Colony," Kleefisch said.
If the Blueprint for Prosperity plan is passed this year, the total tax relief provided since Walker took office will total roughly $2 billion.