Despite occasionally heated back and forth discussions and varying allegations as to the true purpose behind a $100 million property tax cut proposal, Republicans and Democrats in the state Assembly joined together to pass the plan, 82 to 12, in a special session Thursday.
Gov. Scott Walker first announced the plan last week and scheduled special sessions in both legislative houses for this week. The state Senate approved the bill Tuesday, 28 to 5, setting up the Assembly’s consideration Thursday.
The plan would give $100 million of state surplus revenue to state school districts to then lower property values in their respective districts. State Republicans said the procedure allows poorer school districts to receive more money, but state Democrats say the proposal creates an uneven distribution to different communities.
After it is spread throughout the state, the $100 million is expected to save the average homeowner approximately $33 over the two year span. Democrats criticize the small number, painting it as a “gimmick” that Walker and Republicans created to help in the upcoming election season.
Republicans responded by citing the Democrats’ past record of raising taxes on citizens prior to Walker’s gubernatorial tenure.
When state Assembly Minority Leader Peter Barca, D-Kenosha, was discussing his and other Democrats’ desire to lower taxes with a Democratic substitute amendment that eventually failed, state Rep. Dale Kooyenga, R-Brookfield, said he was surprised Democrats were talking about tax cuts.
“I did not expect to come in here today and hear my colleagues on the other side of the aisle talk about property tax reductions,” Kooyenga said. “It’s kind of like Latrell Sprewell giving anger management lessons.”
Barca and Assistant Assembly Minority Leader Andy Jorgensen, D-Fort Atkinson, repeatedly stood during the floor session to cite a Legislative Fiscal Bureau report that said the typical household would still see an $11 increase in property taxes under the Republicans’ recent budget, even if the $100 million plan were put into place.
Republicans and Democrats also spread political buzzwords throughout the session, with each side claiming their ideas would “move Wisconsin forward” and “help the middle class,” but eventually, all Republicans and 25 Democrats joined together to pass the bill.
Walker has said he plans to sign the bill Sunday, which would fulfill his previously stated goal of pushing the plan through the legislature in a week.
