Browsing: Taxes

A growing number of Wisconsin communities are choosing to act against considerable economic interest and sit out the data center revolution.

Economic freedom is a fundamental animating idea of the republic that people should be free to work, build, hire, save, invest, trade and make their own economic choices without unnecessary interference from government.

The choice Wisconsin leaders make about income tax policy will have important implications for the state’s future competitiveness and prosperity.

“There’s never been a federal program that’s been as generous as this that the state didn’t opt in,” said Kooyenga.

Think of the failure of the $1.8 billion tax-and-spending deal between Gov. Tony Evers and the Legislature as a second chance at better policy.

The Wisconsin Legislature’s “Socialist Caucus” drafted a bill that would add a 17.7% top bracket for households earning $1 million.

The comparison to Milwaukee’s past Socialist mayors highlights how proposals by current Democratic Socialists are much more radical, even if they’re rhetorically similar.

Subjecting big development proposals to popular vote risks killing statewide economic growth, observers say in the wake of a successful effort by Port Washington data center opponents to give citizens the ability to nix the future use of a key financing tool.

You might be paying higher school property taxes this year because of a referendum to exceed a school district’s revenue cap — one that you did not get a vote on in a district your kids do not attend.

Some lawmakers in Madison, however, led by members of the Assembly’s Socialist Caucus,  want to implement an estate tax with a top rate of 20 percent. Currently in draft form before being introduced, their legislation would propel Wisconsin to a tie with Hawaii for the second-highest state rate in the nation.

Policymakers are scrambling for solutions as Wisconsin property tax burdens continue to rise. As homeowners clamor for relief, Gov. Tony Evers (D) has proposed using $1.3 billion from the state’s surplus to buy down property tax bills. Unfortunately, the proposal does nothing to address the structural drivers of high (and rising) property taxes and, if anything, puts more pressure on them in the future. His proposal commits the state to subsidies that shift burdens rather than alleviate them.

The average Wisconsin taxpayer will pay $3,183 less in taxes in 2026 due to the One Big Beautiful Bill Act going into effect next year, analysis by the Tax Foundation shows.

There are 541 days until the next Legislature’s sworn in, and there’s plenty of unfinished business

Wisconsin’s expanded retirement income exclusion will undermine the tax code’s neutrality and shift burdens onto working families over time.

Progressives object because proposed Wisconsin tax relief goes to people they envy.

Legislative Republicans’ proposed tax measure “is a relatively well-structured way to provide relief for lower- and middle-income Wisconsinites,” said Katherine Loughead.

President Trump’s executive order to halt federal funding for public broadcasting will save taxpayers nearly $8.5 million annually in reduced federal outlays to public television and radio networks in Wisconsin alone.

Taxes in the Badger State are simply too high and too uncompetitive — which is why Wisconsin must consider a low, flat-rate individual income tax.

Wisconsin’s governor talks of new 9.8% top tax rate — one that would wallop businesses that don’t flee.

A single-rate tax reform would change Wisconsin’s tax picture from a grave liability to an advantage.