Walker signs child tax credit, sales tax holiday into law despite Democratic dissent

Gov. Scott Walker signed a new child tax credit and sales tax holiday into law Tuesday in Waukesha, accomplishing one of his biggest priorities of the last legislative session.

The bill intends to provide families with a tax rebate of $100 for every dependent child under 18 years old, as well as a tax holiday in August for back-to-school shopping.

Walker additionally issued a partial veto on the tax holiday to extend its duration from two days in August to five.

“This rebate and sales tax holiday will help Wisconsin families with the costs of raising children,” Walker said in a statement. “We are giving this money back to the hardworking taxpayers because it is their money to begin with, and we want them to spend it on their priorities, not Madison’s priorities.”

Wisconsin Democrats criticized the timing of the bill’s signing, claiming it as a distraction from the upcoming fall election.

“This tax rebate is nothing more than a bad-faith attempt to distract voters from his record before this fall’s election,” said Kelda Roys, a Democratic candidate for governor, in a statement Tuesday. “Once again, Gov. Walker puts his own political ambitions before the needs of Wisconsin families.”

Furthermore, Senate Minority Leader Jennifer Shilling, D-La Crosse, asserted the importance of longer-term childcare solutions, instead of the holiday.

“Instead of one-time campaign gimmicks and massive tax giveaways to the wealthy, we should be investing in long-term child care relief, expanding access to affordable health care and supporting strong community schools,” Shilling said.

The laws passed the Senate on a 17-15 vote, and was concurred on a 59-31 vote by the Assembly.

Eligible families can claim their $100-per-child tax rebate beginning May 15 through July 2, while the back-to-school sales tax holiday will occur from August 1 to August 5.