Month: June 2021

Governor Evers Vetoes Bill That Would Have Ended Federal Unemployment Benefits Early

Posted on June 30, 2021 by

Gov. Tony Evers vetoed a bill on Tuesday that would have ended Wisconsin’s participation in federal pandemic relief programs that increase the amount of government assistance available for unemployed people. The supplemental assistance is set to expire on Sept. 6, but at least 25 states started phasing it out earlier this month.

The bill would have reduced the maximum weekly unemployment benefit in Wisconsin from $670 per week to $370 week. It also would have prevented the state Department of Workforce Development from waiving unemployment work search requirements for any reason related to COVID-19. It passed on party-line votes in both chambers of the Legislature.

“Eliminating this lifeline for many Wisconsinites will cause continued economic hardship for those impacted the most by the pandemic and create additional hurdles to return to family-sustaining jobs,” Evers wrote in his veto message. “As a result, the entire state economy likely would be negatively affected.”

“The Legislature needs to confront issues surrounding child care, wages, and workplace COVID-19 safety for those returning to the workforce,” Evers wrote. “Eliminating the supplemental federal benefits while simultaneously failing to address systemic problems faced by individuals remaining in and returning to the workforce is irresponsible.”

Sen. Howard Marklein, R-Spring Green, disputed Evers’ assertion that there is no link between the extra money and the state’s workforce shortage.

“Every single employer I have talked to is challenged to find workers. Hardworking employees, who have been stretched very thin, tell me that they are getting tired,” Marklein said. “From restaurants to manufacturers to city governments to state parks. Every single employer is competing with the government’s unnecessary enhanced unemployment checks.”

Unemployment insurance should be a “safety net,” not a “brick wall for employers,” Marklein argued. Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, argued the veto only serves to add “one more hurdle” for businesses trying to recover from the pandemic.

Wisconsin Housing Market Strong Even as Inventories Remain Tight

Posted on June 22, 2021 by

Both existing home sales and median prices rose by double-digit margins in May compared to their levels 12 months earlier, when the economy was in lockdown. Housing supply remains very tight with just 2.8 months of available supply in the state. Inventory is tight in all regions, across all urban/rural classifications and across all price ranges

“Basic economics tells us that strong and growing demand in a world of tight supply is going to create significant price pressure, and that’s exactly what we’re seeing in the state housing market. Median prices through the first five months are up at an annual pace of 12.1%. Unless demand moderates or supply improves, neither of which is likely in 2021, we can expect to see more of the same price appreciation through the end of this year. The good news is that mortgage rates remain very low by historical standards, which has at least partially offset the impact of significant price pressure on housing affordability in the state.  Hopefully the inflationary pressures don’t intensify, which could cause mortgage rates to increase and lower affordability,” said Michael Theo, President & CEO of the Wisconsin Realtors Association.

 

Wisconsin Legislature’s Budget Committee Wraps Up with Massive Tax Cuts

Posted on June 18, 2021 by

Taking advantage of an unexpected revenue windfall, Republicans on the Wisconsin Legislature’s budget committee voted Thursday to approve about $3.4 billion in income, business and property tax cuts, wrapping up its work on the two-year spending plan.

The Republican plan would bring the state’s third income tax bracket down from 6.27%  to 5.3%, generating about $2.7 billion in relief. That bracket encompasses individuals making between $23,930 and $263,480 per year, and households earning between $31,910 and $351,310 per year.

Lawmakers set aside $202 million to offset a repeal of the state’s personal property tax which applies, in general, to furniture, equipment, machinery and watercraft owned by businesses. A portion of that tax — which provides funding to schools and local governments — was eliminated in the 2017-19 budget.

Committee co-chair Sen. Howard Marklein, R-Spring Green, noted that the tax is frustrating for those who pay it because it continues to apply every year — not just when the taxed item is purchased.

The motions passed Thursday also include a $72 million increase in aid to technical colleges and an additional $408 million for general school aid. They also remove a reduction in general school aid associated with some independent charter schools. Because spending caps remain in place, that funding would result in a decrease in property taxes. In total, the budget reduces property taxes by about $647 million.

The Republican tax measures are based on the idea that “taxpayers will do a better job, a more responsible job” than government would with the majority of the $4.4 billion more than expected that the state is projected to take in over a three-year period, said co-chair Rep. Mark Born, R-Beaver Dam.

State to Give 84,000 Wisconsin Small Businesses $5,000 grants by End of June

Posted on June 1, 2021 by

Some 84,000 Wisconsin businesses have been invited to apply for a $5,000 grant to be distributed by the Wisconsin Department of Revenue and Wisconsin Economic Development Corp.

Gov. Tony Evers authorized $420 million, through funding received by the American Rescue Plan Act, to be distributed to businesses that apply by 4:30 p.m. on June 7.

The businesses selected to be eligible for the grants had to have an annual gross revenue between $10,000 and $7 million.

Last year WEDC distributed $240 million to roughly 60,000 small businesses through funds received from the CARES Act.  Businesses that received funding last year could be eligible again for this new round of funding. Also, businesses that were started in 2020 are also eligible.

WEDC said the state is hoping to start distributing the grants to businesses as early as the first week in June, with the goal of having all the money distributed by the end of June.

Those interested in learning more about the program should visit the Department of Revenue website.