MADISON – Three Republican state senators likely facing recall elections for their extreme anti-worker, anti-family agenda today voted to eliminate property tax relief for hundreds of thousands of Wisconsin families and seniors.
Senators Sheila Harsdorf (R – River Falls), Randy Hopper (R – Fond du Lac) and Luther Olsen (R – Ripon) voted in a budget meeting of the Joint Finance Committee to eliminate provisions of the Homestead Tax Credit that will essentially raise property taxes on seniors and those in Wisconsin hit hardest by the recession by $8.1 million.
State Rep. John Nygren, who is trying to unseat longtime working and middle class family champion Dave Hansen, also voted to eliminate this tax relief.
“This vote exposes the radical agenda of these Republicans, and proves they’re not looking out for the people in their districts,” said Democratic Party of Wisconsin Chair Mike Tate. “They’re perfectly comfortable giving $140 million in huge tax breaks to big corporations, but they draw the line when it comes to property tax relief for grandma. These Republicans are not on our side, and they need to be recalled, or kept out of the Senate, before they do even more damage to our families and seniors, and our shared Wisconsin values.”
The Homestead Tax Credit plays an extremely important role in making property taxes less burdensome for many in Wisconsin. According to data obtained from the Department of Revenue, approximately 247,000 people utilized the credit in 2010, with seniors representing more than a third of total claimants.
