Buffett Rule Coming Before U.S. Senate for a Vote

MADISON, Wis. — As Wisconsinites file their tax returns and a national debate on tax fairness heats up, including the U.S. Senate scheduling votes on the “Buffett Rule”, One Wisconsin Now is calling on each of the candidates for U.S. Senate — Tammy Baldwin, Tommy Thompson, Mark Neumann, Eric Hovde, and Jeff Fitzgerald — to make it clear whether or not they would support the Buffett Rule as a member of the U.S. Senate.

“We deserve to know if the folks that want to serve in the U.S. Senate think millionaires and billionaires should be entitled to a lower tax rate than hardworking, middle-class families,” said Browne.

The concept behind the “Buffett Rule” is simple and fair — a CEO making millions shouldn’t pay a lower tax rate than his or her secretary. An analysis recently conducted by the Tax Policy Center showed taxpayers with income over $1 million paid a lower tax rate than middle class families earning between $50,000 and $75,000.

While Democratic U.S. Representative Tammy Baldwin is publicly supporting the Buffett Rule, noticeably silent on the issue have been Wisconsin’s GOP Senate candidates — Tommy Thompson, Mark Neumann, and Jeff Fitzgerald. GOP candidate Eric Hovde last week issued a statement indicating he opposes the Buffett rule.

“This is a simple issue of fairness and the opportunity to show whose side you’re on — the one percent or the rest of us hardworking Wisconsinites. And to be clear just whose tax breaks they’re defending, each should release their own tax returns to the public,” concluded Browne.