GOP to vote on $2 billion tax package, unclear if Gov. Evers on board

MADISON, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Next week, Republicans in the Assembly will vote on a package of bills to cut taxes after it cleared a committee Wednesday, but it remains unclear whether Governor Tony Evers will back the measures.

On Tuesday, the Assembly will take up a $2.2 billion tax plan crafted by Republicans. It includes expanding the second income tax bracket to include more middle-income earners, cutting retirement income, and providing tax cuts to newly married couples and parents.

A series of GOP tax cut bills have been vetoed by Evers as both sides have been unable to reach a consensus for over a year. Republicans unveiled this latest proposal to ensure tax cuts were targeted towards the middle-class in an attempt to appease Evers.

However, Evers told reporters he hasn't reviewed the bills and wants to wait to see the final product before committing to signing or vetoing them.

"Appeasement is good, but I have not seen the whole bill," Evers said while touring an elementary school in Lafayette County. "I will wait until the bill gets to my desk."

He added, "I’m always looking for opportunities to make our tax system more fair."

All four tax proposals passed the GOP-controlled Joint Finance Committee Wednesday 11-4. Democrats on the committee voted against the measures.

On Tuesday, Evers signaled support for one of the bills during the annual Wisconsin Counties Association conference. He said he'd be open to providing tax credits to parents, but added, "that's not going to solve the issue" when talking about one of his top priorities to make child care more affordable.

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