After nearly 30 years, Wisconsin no longer is one of the top 10 highest taxed states in the nation. According to the data released by the U.S. Census bureau, two independent reports have shown Wisconsin's local and state tax burden has fallen to 11th highest in the nation, down from eighth in 2005 and sixth in 2004.
Dropping out of the top 10 highest-taxed states is an encouraging trend and is the direct result of the actions taken in the State Assembly over the past several legislative sessions aimed at keeping government spending in line with our family's ability to pay. At the same time, however, we've been able to invest in areas vital to our well-being like economic development, health care and education to ensure we retain our high quality of life in Wisconsin.
As I continue to listen and work with area residents, it is clear that strengthening our state and local economy is a top concern. This past session we've acted to stimulate the economy and create jobs through incentives and tax credits aimed at improving the economy from the ground up. By eliminating the largest state tax increase ever proposed in our history, we were able to prevent Wisconsin from jumping to the No. 1 taxed state in the union. We also rejected the so-called "oil tax," which according to the nonpartisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau, would have resulted in a nearly 9 cent per gallon increase in the cost of gasoline.
Specifically, multiple pieces of legislation were passed, which aimed to help boost economic development. We approved the Education Tax Credit, which allows businesses to deduct 50 percent of higher education tuition, and we doubled funding for worker training grants that allow employees to take advantage of continued education programs through local technical colleges. In addition, we passed bills targeted at promoting local dairy and meat facilities, encouraging independent investment in start-up companies, and a measure designed to foster growth in businesses that invest in research and development.
Equally important, we acted on our "Patients First Agenda," which is designed to lower health care costs by putting the individual, not the government in charge of your health care decisions and dollars. In addition, we increased access to health care services to 98 percent of Wisconsin residents by expanding BadgerCare Plus, making Wisconsin a national leader in health care coverage. We also passed tax credits that made health insurance premiums tax deductible, as well as incentives for small businesses to make health care more affordable by paying with pre-tax dollars.
In addition, education remained our state's top funding priority this legislative session. We invested in K-12 education at historic levels with an increase of $524.8 million for a total of $12.3 billion. The University of Wisconsin system, one of the strongest economic engines in our state, was fully funded along with a $29 million increase in college financial aid.
Overall, significant progress has been made toward lowering Wisconsin's tax burden. This was made possible through such actions as a renewed property tax freeze, a continuation of the Social Security tax exemption, and a cut in the retirement income tax. At the same time, though, we have been able to foster economic development, make health care more affordable, and invest in education. I believe we are on the right path to getting our economy moving again in Wisconsin and our new tax ranking is welcome news. I look forward to continuing our efforts to make Wisconsin the best place in the nation to live, work, and retire.
I want to hear from you, so please feel welcome to express your thoughts or let me know if I can be helpful to you in any way by calling (888) 534-0080, e-mailing me at Rep.Davis@legis.wi.gov or by writing or stopping by 308 North, State Capitol, Madison, WI 53708.
- Wisconsin State Rep. Brett Davis, R-Oregon, serves the 80th Assembly District, which includes all of Green County and portions of Rock, Dane and Lafayette
counties.
Dropping out of the top 10 highest-taxed states is an encouraging trend and is the direct result of the actions taken in the State Assembly over the past several legislative sessions aimed at keeping government spending in line with our family's ability to pay. At the same time, however, we've been able to invest in areas vital to our well-being like economic development, health care and education to ensure we retain our high quality of life in Wisconsin.
As I continue to listen and work with area residents, it is clear that strengthening our state and local economy is a top concern. This past session we've acted to stimulate the economy and create jobs through incentives and tax credits aimed at improving the economy from the ground up. By eliminating the largest state tax increase ever proposed in our history, we were able to prevent Wisconsin from jumping to the No. 1 taxed state in the union. We also rejected the so-called "oil tax," which according to the nonpartisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau, would have resulted in a nearly 9 cent per gallon increase in the cost of gasoline.
Specifically, multiple pieces of legislation were passed, which aimed to help boost economic development. We approved the Education Tax Credit, which allows businesses to deduct 50 percent of higher education tuition, and we doubled funding for worker training grants that allow employees to take advantage of continued education programs through local technical colleges. In addition, we passed bills targeted at promoting local dairy and meat facilities, encouraging independent investment in start-up companies, and a measure designed to foster growth in businesses that invest in research and development.
Equally important, we acted on our "Patients First Agenda," which is designed to lower health care costs by putting the individual, not the government in charge of your health care decisions and dollars. In addition, we increased access to health care services to 98 percent of Wisconsin residents by expanding BadgerCare Plus, making Wisconsin a national leader in health care coverage. We also passed tax credits that made health insurance premiums tax deductible, as well as incentives for small businesses to make health care more affordable by paying with pre-tax dollars.
In addition, education remained our state's top funding priority this legislative session. We invested in K-12 education at historic levels with an increase of $524.8 million for a total of $12.3 billion. The University of Wisconsin system, one of the strongest economic engines in our state, was fully funded along with a $29 million increase in college financial aid.
Overall, significant progress has been made toward lowering Wisconsin's tax burden. This was made possible through such actions as a renewed property tax freeze, a continuation of the Social Security tax exemption, and a cut in the retirement income tax. At the same time, though, we have been able to foster economic development, make health care more affordable, and invest in education. I believe we are on the right path to getting our economy moving again in Wisconsin and our new tax ranking is welcome news. I look forward to continuing our efforts to make Wisconsin the best place in the nation to live, work, and retire.
I want to hear from you, so please feel welcome to express your thoughts or let me know if I can be helpful to you in any way by calling (888) 534-0080, e-mailing me at Rep.Davis@legis.wi.gov or by writing or stopping by 308 North, State Capitol, Madison, WI 53708.
- Wisconsin State Rep. Brett Davis, R-Oregon, serves the 80th Assembly District, which includes all of Green County and portions of Rock, Dane and Lafayette
counties.
