New priorities

The Wisconsin State Journal is reporting that Governor Doyle is going to propose a new tax credit for working parents to make sure they are making at least the federal poverty level for an income if they are working at least 35 hours a week.

Unfortunately, some Republican lawmakers are already lukewarm to the idea. Rep. Dean Kaufert (R-Neenah) says he supports the concept but will have to decide what priority to give it since there are a lot of tax exemption bills out there.

Seems like a bill to reward people for working and keep families off of welfare by getting them on the path to standing on their own should go to the front of the line. And here's an idea on how to pay for it. Let's get Walmart, one of the most profitable companies out there, off of Wisconsin Welfare by passing the bill that is up in committee this week to make profitable companies pay for the health insurance of their employees instead of having them on the state's BadgerCare tab. (see post from yesterday for more on this)

Governor Doyle's office is estimating that his tax credit proposal will cost the state about $22 million. Getting Walmart alone off Wisconsin Welfare will save the taxpayers $19 million. Add in the other profitable companies that are ripping off the taxpayers on healthcare should pay for the rest.