Kleefisch promotes 'massive income tax reform' in Oconto campaign stop

OCONTO – If elected governor, Rebecca Kleefisch says her administration would “focus massive income tax reform on workers so they can combat inflation,” then would seek to eliminate income and other taxes in Wisconsin.

The former lieutenant governor – who noted that as governor, “it’s my job to lead the Legislature to the right” – said the state would move to a flat tax rate of 3.5% to 4%.

The shift would push all workers to the lowest rate in the state, instead of being subject to what Kleefisch said was “one of the most progressive income tax systems in the entire country.”

“(That’s) giving them more of their own paycheck, it’s going to feel like a raise almost instantly,” she said in a 45-minute campaign stop at Irish Greens Golf Course on July 19.

Tax rate reduction, she said, was necessary because of what she termed “hyper-inflation” – referring to the U.S. rate of 9.1% in June, a 41-year high – though that term is used by economists to describe price hikes of several hundred percent per year.

She said the tax cuts are needed to encourage workers to enter and stay in the workforce.

“If more people do not make more money or keep more of their own money, it seems not worth it (to work),” she said.

After that, Kleefisch said the state would move “toward eliminating the income tax in Wisconsin, as well as taxes on retirement income.

“That way, we’re going to keep more of our seniors here, there’s no reason for any of you guys ever to spend time in Florida,” she told the crowd of 35.

Kleefisch also said the state would eliminate the personal property tax, which she said would save small businesses $200 million annually, money they can use to increase worker pay.

She did not say how the state would replace that revenue or make spending reduction for government operations and education.

Kleefisch also said the state has 123,000 more people who are childless and able-bodied, based on Medicaid enrollment, who could help fill the 138,000 job openings in the state.

“(Gov.) Tony Evers paid them more money to sit out of the economy than to jump back into work,” she said, apparently referring to federal supplements to state unemployment payments. "We need to do massive welfare reform once again, to get those people back again into the economy.”

Kleefisch also said she would seek to revise the state’s child care subsidy program to allow more families to benefit and offer an employer-sponsored child care tax credit.

“All of those things will get more people into the workforce, and once into the workforce, they’re going to be able to keep more of their own money, and afford more things and battle inflation,” she said.

Kleefisch, who was lieutenant governor under Gov. Scott Walker for eight years, is vying for the Republican nomination against construction company executive Tim Michels and state Rep. Timothy Ramthun. The primary is Aug. 9.

Kleefisch noted she was “the only proven, tested, conservative fighter in this race” and took time to tick off several accomplishments while Walker was governor: passage of concealed carry and photo ID legislation, defunding Planned Parenthood, expanding school choice in southeast Wisconsin, cutting tax rates by $13 billion and Act 10, which she said saved $15 billion by eliminating most public employee unions.

She also promised to continue Walker’s far right efforts.

“You want to know what my job is as governor?” she asked. “It is to lead the Legislature to the right, which is exactly what Scott Walker did, which is exactly what I will do, because I’m more conservative than … I would say, 80 to 90 percent of the Legislature right now.”

The Marquette Law School Poll released in June showed “I’m the only one that can actually beat Tony Evers in this general election,” she said.

“So what are we waiting for?” she added. “We’ve actually got to go beat Tony Evers … and I’m the only one who can do it – I’m already up 14 points with independents – let’s just get it done.”

The poll, released on June 22, showed that 30% of independent voters would support Kleefisch in an election against Evers in November, compared to 18% for Michels and 12% for Ramthun.

Conducted about three weeks before business consultant Kevin Nicholson dropped out of the race, the poll showed that among all voters, Evers leading Kleefisch 47%-43%, Michels 48%-41% and Ramthun 51%-34%.

“Once again, this is going to be a fight.” Kleefisch said. “We live in a 50-50 state. As much as I would love to tell you this was going to be an easy one, a total slam dunk, it’s not.”

RELATED: Michels touts outsider, leadership credentials in Oconto campaign stop

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Contact Kent Tempus at (920) 431-8226 or ktempus@gannett.com. 

This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: Wisconsin Republican Rebecca Kleefisch makes Oconto campaign stop