The Stories Behind the Statistics

This week, Republicans are at work combining their two hastily put-together partisan tax plans into a final bill.

I can tell you right now: if their final plan is anything like what they pushed through House or the Senate, Wisconsin will be set up to lose as middle class families see tax hikes.

I want to make our tax system simpler and fairer. The partisan tax plans we’ve seen so far don’t do that. Instead, they’ve given massive tax giveaways to the wealthiest few and big corporations, while the middle class foots the bill.

Nearly half of all Americans will see a tax hike by 2027 according to a nonpartisan study.

And over 60% of the tax cuts go to the top 1%, not the middle class.

There are plenty of additional statistics on how the GOP plan will hurt the middle class. And behind each statistic, there is a story of a family working even harder and getting pushed further back.

As the final tax plan is being hammered out, Republicans should consider these real life stories before they give tax breaks for the ultra-rich at the expense of Wisconsin families.

Teachers like John, a kindergarten teacher from Clintonville, just want to make sure their students have a comfortable, safe school environment. That can mean going to the store and buying anything from pencils to socks to help their students. Right now, Congressional Republicans are debating whether to cut John’s deduction for those out-of-pocket expenses. Taking away school supplies deductions could mean teachers have to choose between helping their students or making ends meet.

Across our state, Wisconsinites work hard to put a roof over their heads and provide their family a home. Republicans would make it harder and more expensive for people to do just that by hiking taxes on working families and eliminating the mortgage interest deduction. Every little bit helps pay down the mortgage and there would be real consequences for the lives, and bottom lines, of middle class households if that becomes even harder to do every month.

Wisconsinites taking care of their aging parents and loved ones could also face difficult decisions when it comes to long-term care if the medical expense deduction is eliminated. For those like Linda Warner, who’s mom suffers from severe dementia and needs around-the-clock care, the medical expense deduction isn’t just an added benefit. It’s the difference between a comfortable, dignified old age and one full of confusion and worry.

Every tax hike and eliminated deduction is money that a Wisconsin family could use to make ends meet and get ahead. That can’t be lost in this debate. And with murmurs of plans to cut Social Security and Medicare, many Wisconsinites will stay up late worrying if they can retire as planned.

That’s why, while Republicans are trying to give the ultra-rich more tax breaks, I’ll keep fighting in the Senate for middle class families and to do right by Wisconsin.

But I need your help to show what it means to lose your tax deductions and walk away with a higher tax bill and less money in your pockets. I want to hear your story about how you’ll be hurt by the GOP tax plan. Please submit it here if you’re ready to share.

You can read more about how I’m fighting for tax reform that puts Wisconsin families first, here and here.

— Tammy