Top Republican Legislator Admits GOP Tax Scheme Could Lead to Cuts to Public School Funding

MADISON, Wis. — A top Republican legislator today admitted that Assembly Speaker Robin “Boss” Vos’ scheme to protect a tax loophole that unfairly benefits the wealthiest, and perhaps businesses owned by Vos, could result in cuts to public school funding. One Wisconsin Now Executive Director Analiese Eicher noted the sad irony of Vos threatening public school funding in the midst of the 2019 “I Love My Public School” week.

“Robin Vos isn’t showing any love for Wisconsin public schools,” said Eicher. “According to a fellow Republican his plan to save a tax loophole that unfairly benefits the wealthiest in Wisconsin, and maybe even himself, could lead to cuts to public schools.”

According to comments from Republican State Senator Luther Olsen reported on Twitter, the Vos plan ends up “taking money off the table” for public school funding:

As reported earlier by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Vos continues to rule out closing tax loopholes to pay for middle class tax relief, as Gov. Evers has proposed. Instead, “He said he would consider funding the cut through general purpose revenue.”

General purpose revenue is the primary source of state funding for K-12 public schools and helps pay for numerous other programs including health care, transportation, public safety, job creation and more.

One Wisconsin Now previously raised the possibility Vos’ staunch defense of the tax break is personal. Vos’ financial disclosures reveal his personal wealth includes businesses with millions in real estate holdings and manufacturing interests. Entities for which he claims ownership have reported $0 in net state tax liability in recent years, according to tax records obtained by One Wisconsin Now.

According to the nonpartisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau, nearly 80 percent of the tax break Vos is fighting tooth and nail to preserve will go to individuals with adjusted gross incomes of over $1 million for tax year 2019.