Gov. Scott Walker is calling a special session on taxes and is proposing to inject $100 million into public schools to lower property taxes.
If the plan passes as quickly as Walker hopes, he says people would see the impact on this year's tax bill. $100 million in state funding would be funneled to schools; education spending, however, would remain the same
“There's no new spending that will happen because of this,” says Walker. “This is all driven right to the property taxpayer.”
Democrats have been pushing for action on jobs and were not included in talks about the proposed tax cut. Rep. Sandy Pasch (D-Whitefish Bay) says Democrats want to look at how this spending affects schools and the projected shortfall for the 2015 budget. Pasch notes that Walker made his announcement three days after Democrat Mary Burke declared her candidacy for governor.
“This certainly is something the governor can [use to] call some attention to himself,” says Pasch. “He's tinkering again with public education funding.”
A legislative hearing is planned for next Tuesday on the tax cut.
Two other items will be part of the special session: One involves tax incentives in Kenosha County to attract an Amazon distribution center, and the other provides tax credits for historic buildings.
