February 20, 2008

 

 

Darling Encouraging Retirees, Graduates to “Stay In Wisconsin”

To be from Wisconsin is to love Wisconsin. There’s so much to be proud of, be it the Packers, the Badgers, the Brewers, our limitless summertime recreation opportunities or winter activities.  But there’s also something driving retirees, students, and middle-class families away from Wisconsin.  It might just be the weather for some, but it’s the tax climate or lack of job opportunities for others.

Wisconsin has long held a firm spot among the top-10 taxed-states in the nation, and that is not a distinction to be proud of.  We can’t change the weather, but we can improve our tax climate and job creation opportunities.  We also need to reduce state spending, reduce our overall tax burden, and reduce our state debt load.

To make Wisconsin a more attractive place for seniors, student graduates, and working families to work, live, and play, I’ve developed a package of initiatives called “Stay in Wisconsin.”

The retirement package portion of Stay in Wisconsin will make various tax changes for

seniors to make Wisconsin a more attractive place to retire.  Some of my proposals are permanently eliminating the estate tax, eliminating taxes on retirement income and increasing the property tax credit for seniors.

My plan to stem the “brain drain” of our best and brightest college graduates leaving the state includes making student loan interest 100% tax deductible.

In addition to my Stay in Wisconsin Plan, I have an agenda for economic development, job creation, and health care reform.  “Invest Wisconsin 2.0” is a plan that would change the way Wisconsin approaches job creation and economic development by providing tax incentives, and break down regulatory and capital investment barriers.

My “Smart Medicine” plan is a comprehensive package of health care reform proposals designed to lower health care costs, improve quality and increase access to health care coverage.

Do you have an idea for something the state could do, or stop doing, that would make Wisconsin a better place to live, work and retire?  I always welcome your feedback!