Monday, March 4, 2013
The days of claiming the alternative minimum tax credit, historic rehabilitation tax credit and the working family tax credit may be over as State Assembly Republicans look at possibly cutting them.
If you were among the 790 families that claimed the working family tax credit or the 418 who claimed the historic rehabilitation tax credit, the 2012 tax year may be your last to do so. State Assembly Republicans are talking about nixing 50 tax credit programs -- including the alternative minimum tax, working family tax credit and historic rehabilitation tax credit -- that don't get used much by Wisconsin income taxpayers. The manufacturer's tax credit would remain untouched. If a proposal passes into law, the legislation would ultimately lower the tax rate, according to a story by the Journal Sentinel. Rep. Dale Kooyenga (R-Brookfield) told the Journal Sentinel that he's trying to simplify the tax code because it is "horrendous" and …
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
New report says the Elmbrook School District has seen a big reduction in pension and health care costs because of changes in state's collective bargaining law.
The controversial state law that eliminated most collective bargaining rights for school employees reduced benefit costs for the Elmbrook School District by about $5.3 million last school year, according to a report released Monday. That labor cost savings came close to offsetting the approximately $5.5 million in state cuts to Elmbrook's maximum allowable revenue for the 2011-12 school year, according to the report by the Wisconsin Taxpayers Alliance. Whether that trend of closing the gap will continue in future years is yet unknown, said Keith Brightman, Elmbrook's assistant superintendent for finance, operations and human resources. The pension savings will recur annually, but further cuts in revenue authority and aid to public school …
Monday, May 28, 2012
When the current political "food fight" is over, perhaps the state can calmly re-examine if, when, and how to recall public officials.
A prominent political scientist recently observed that "Wisconsin is a state in turmoil." Sadly, many objective observers of state politics from around the nation concur with University of Virginia professor Larry Sabato. It’s easy to see why. By summer, Wisconsin will have attempted to recall 15 state officials in a year. The number and frequency of these elections, the money spent, and the toxic rhetoric are all unprecedented in state and American history. In this polarized environment, Wisconsin cannot have a civil discussion about how to restore stability to state government. But, eventually, we will have to consider how to end the destructive cycle of recall elections. When that day comes, it will be helpful to know how Wisconsin …
peter
6:25 pm on Tuesday, March 12, 2013
If anyone who claims to know God's intentions is a fraud, why do all the fascists go to church? more ›