WI Republicans reject tech economy, increasing teacher workforce, mental health programs again, and medications in schools that reverse opioid overdoses.

For WI MAGA Republicans, the massive budget surplus (partly due to letting the state’s infrastructure and social programs go to hell) means that it’s time for more tax cuts, especially for the victimized wealthy in those higher brackets. GOP leaders are now openly saying that the unfair higher tax brackets must be reduced with a flat tax. But…

…the state’s average income tax rates are more favorable to high- and middle-income residents and worse for those with lower incomes, the Wisconsin Policy Forum reported last year.

Conservative voters should be embarrassed by what was cut from Gov. Evers budget, but they aren’t.

WISGOP Values? None: Here’s the breathtaking list of rejected budget items Vos Republicans found a little too “woke.” Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: 

1. They didn’t really mean it…Rejected up to three months of a paid leave of absence for family and medical reasons. Anti-abortion lobbying groups initially showed support after overturning Roe v. Wade, and Republican challengers to Evers embraced the idea as well. Never mind.

2. Forget about preventing gun violence…Cut Evers’ mental health initiatives, including funding for mental health staff and suicide prevention programs.

3. Teacher shortage? What shortage…Cut Evers’ proposals for building the state’s teaching workforce, including stipends for student teachers and “grown your own” programs that help school staff earn higher degrees.

4. Once a must have by Republicans…Cut funding for financial literacy.

5. Too 21st Century? Worst way to attract or keep young job seekers? Cut funding for computer science and math programs. 

6. Are you sitting down for this mindblower? They cut a requirement for schools to carry naloxone or other medication that can reverse opioid overdoses.

7. Maintaining that Dragnet’s Joe Friday was right, rejected…Evers proposed legalizing marijuana for users 21 and older. Legalization is estimated to generate $166 million in revenue that Evers has said he wants to use to help fund schools. Wisconsin is in the minority of states that haven’t legalized marijuana use in some form.

8. Too easy?…Wisconsin drivers would have been automatically registered to vote under another of Evers’ proposals.

9. While spending taxpayer money supplying communities with bottle water and testing, can we ever have too much of a cancer-causing chemical in our drinking water? Eliminated were the proposals for PFAS standards.

10. Because hiding a dumb and unpopular decision is safer, Republicans…Eliminated a provision in Evers’ budget that would have put an end to anonymous objections to stewardship program proposals by the Joint Finance Committee, requiring the release of a legislator’s name.

A former liberal radio talk host who likes to ask the “follow-up question” at Democurmudgeon.blogspot.com