Billionaire Walker Backer’s Business Pays No Taxes

MADISON, Wis. — The business of Gov. Scott Walker’s “co-star” in the controversial “Divide and Conquer” video clip, billionaire widow Diane Hendricks, paid no taxes in 2005, 2006, 2007 or 2008 (the latest year for which records were available) according to a report from the Institute for Wisconsin’s Future. Yet, amazingly, in the video clip released late last week, Ms. Hendricks complains Wisconsin did not provide business enough incentives.

Hendricks’ comment prompted One Wisconsin Now spokesperson Mike Browne to ask, “Exactly how much less than absolutely nothing in state corporate income taxes would billionaire business owner Ms. Hendricks like to pay?”

Ms. Hendricks is estimated by Forbes Magazine to be worth in the neighborhood of $3 billion and her company, ABC Supply Company, is reported to make roughly $5 billion annually in sales. According to media reports Ms. Hendricks is also the largest single campaign contributor in state history, giving $510,000 directly to Gov. Walker.

Browne noted that while the billionaire widow’s company paid nothing in state corporate income taxes for at least four years, the beneficiary of her financial largesse, Gov. Walker, increased taxes on Wisconsin seniors and working families by $70 million and made the largest cuts to public education in state history.

“It is outrageous to hear a billionaire whose business didn’t pay a dime in state corporate income taxes over four years complaining about the state business climate. Especially in light of the burden that’s been shifted onto the children, working a families and seniors of this state by politicians like Gov. Walker,” concluded Browne.