Evers proposes $150 checks under plan to spend surplus

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By SCOTT BAUER
Associated Press

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Gov. Tony Evers released an election-year plan Thursday that would send $150 to every Wisconsin resident, bolster funding for K-12 schools and help defray child-care costs.

Evers released the plan two days after state budget projections grew by $2.9 billion more than expected just six months ago. Evers’ plan would spend $1.7 billion of the state’s surplus.

But don’t go spending those refund checks just yet.

Evers’ plan would have to be approved by the Republican-controlled Legislature to take effect. Republican leaders on Wednesday said they want to use the money for a tax cut in 2023. They did not immediately return messages seeking comment.

Evers argued there was no reason to wait and the money should be sent back to taxpayers now. Evers, embracing an argument often used by Republicans when advocating for tax cuts, said taxpayers should have their money returned to them.

“There sure as hell aren’t excuses for refusing the help families with rising costs,” Evers said at a news conference in the Capitol surrounded by Democratic lawmakers and members of his Cabinet.
“This is not a reelection thing for me,” Evers claimed. “We should be bringing this back to the people, real simple.”

Of Evers’ plan, nearly $1 billion would go toward tax cuts and $750 million would go toward K-12 schools and higher education.