WMC on flat tax, real stories on spending, push for school choice accelerating Viewpoint Former Wisconsinites Bask in Florida’s Low-Tax Climate In high-income-tax states, people vote with their feet By Mike Nichols I’m writing the beginning of this Viewpoint while down in the Fort Myers/Naples area of Florida where Bucky is everywhere — on sweatshirts, on golf shirts, on bumper stickers, on shorts. On Wisconsin! Except not really. Many of the folks proudly wearing the cardinal and white are Wisconsin transplants who are now sunburnt Florida residents. They were lured south, many of them, for short stints by the sun and the surf, but stayed for the taxes — or, actually, the lack thereof. Just one year of IRS data for folks who lived in Wisconsin in 2018 but were residents of Florida in 2019 tells the tale. Read the entire piece Free Exchange Podcast Flat Tax Is Better for Business, Better for Wisconsin In Wisconsin, the vast majority of businesses are established as pass-throughs — meaning their owners pay the individual income tax rate, not the corporate tax rate. So, no one understands the need for a lower, flatter tax in Wisconsin than Scott Manley of the Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce (WMC), the largest and most influential business association in the state. Manley sat down with Badger Institute President Mike Nichols to discuss how a flat tax would improve Wisconsin’s ability to keep and attract residents and businesses, address the workforce shortage, benefit workers and contribute to overall growth in the Badger State. Listen to the podcast A Public Accounting Our journalism, like our policy work, advances key parts of our mission — including making sure government is efficient, transparent and limited. Federal COVID spending in Wisconsin has been lacking in all three areas. Our Tracking the Trillions investigation — now 18+ months in the making — identifies how federal taxpayer dollars are being wasted and how the expenditure of billions is often conducted in the shadows. Recent coverage: Analysis: Children’s mental health and the curious case of crisis spending State needs greater transparency, clarity Local pols filling old budget holes with massive COVID aid Badger in the News Lowering taxes for everyone makes it easier for Wisconsinites to stay in the state they love “In a real way, Wisconsin’s top rate is optional because staying in Wisconsin is optional — especially as more of society works remotely. People have options, especially workers with top-earning talents or taxpayers who choose where their companies will grow. What progressive-tax advocates miss is that if successful Wisconsinites move to a state with a flat income tax (or no income tax, which is the case in nine states), Wisconsin receives none of their revenue. And if they take their businesses with them, Wisconsin loses out on even more.” Patrick McIlheran, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Jan. 30, 2023 (paywall) 2023 Poised To Be A Third Straight Year Filled With State Tax Relief “Perhaps the boldest tax reform proposal of the year is now under consideration in Wisconsin, where Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu (R) has introduced legislation to overhaul the state tax code. Leader LeMahieu’s bill would move Wisconsin from a progressive income tax code with a top rate of 7.65% to a flat 3.25% income tax rate. The 3.25% flat rate, which is lower than Wisconsin’s current bottom rate of 3.54%, would result in a tax cut, on average, for every income level. In a recent interview with the Badger Institute’s Mike Nichols, Leader LeMahieu expressed optimism that his counterparts in the Assembly will get on board with income tax relief, even if it doesn’t end up exactly as he proposed.” Patrick Gleason, Forbes, Jan. 31, 2023 Quotable “Good news for taxpayers, or at least some of you: Statehouses across the country are continuing to cut taxes in a movement that shows no sign of slowing down. By year-end, nearly half of all states will have cut their income-tax rates within a three-year period. The good results so far confirm that we’re in a virtuous economic-political cycle… “Competition is moving states toward better tax codes, and the trend is compounding. Americans in states that haven’t joined the tax cutters at least have more places to move to.” Wall Street Journal: The State Tax-Cut Movement, Jan. 30, 2023 (paywall) Fact Sheets Criminal Justice Fact Sheet The Badger Institute has a growing library of one-pagers highlighting facts, data, trends and recommendations on a variety of policy issues. Wisconsin’s criminal justice system must first and foremost work to reduce crime, improve public safety and achieve justice for victims. The Badger State remains, on the whole, a safe place that’s been getting safer. But Wisconsinites who live and work in Milwaukee have seen dramatic increases in homicide, auto theft and aggravated assault. For some specific offenses, other Wisconsin cities are also seeing worsening trends. Download the fact sheet   Intern at the Institute Are you a reliable, motivated undergrad who believes in free markets and limited government? Consider spending your summer with the Badger Institute! Details on our paid internship opportunities are available now at badgerinstitute.org/intern.   Weekly Survey: Would you consider moving to a state with a low, flat income tax — or no income tax at all? Answer below! Yes No Previous Poll Results What We’re Reading Empower Wisconsin: Why are those who could work not working? Associated Press: UW students afraid to express views in class Washington Times: Tens of thousands of federal employees bilked government of pandemic cash (paywall) Education Week: The Push for School Choice Is Accelerating Center Square: SPN poll: Parents support school choice Invest in the Badger Institute The Badger Institute, formerly known as the Wisconsin Policy Research Institute (WPRI), has long been at the forefront of the fight for school choice, right to work, welfare reform, tax restructuring, limited government, civil society and so much more. If you appreciate the Institute’s legacy and want to support free markets, opportunity and prosperity, please consider donating today. Your support will help the Institute continue to advocate for conservative principles now and in generations to come. The Institute never has, and never will, accept government funding. We gratefully welcome your online donation or email Angela Smith, Executive Vice President. The Badger Institute is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organization funded solely by the generosity of foundations, companies and individuals. Support Freedom Badger Institute | 700 W Virginia St, Suite 301, Milwaukee, WI 53204 www.badgerinstitute.org Unsubscribe [email protected] Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice Sent by [email protected] in collaboration with Try email marketing for free today!