Wisconsin
What to do with Wisconsin's $3 billion surplus? One senator wants to give everyone nearly $1,000
KENOSHA, Wis. (CBS 58) — Wisconsin has a surplus of more than $3 billion, and the state’s top leaders can’t agree on what to do with it. One state senator insists he’s come up with the perfect compromise: Send every taxpayer a check.
State Sen. Robert Wirch (D-Somers) put a bill into circulation this week that would divide the surplus among each of the state’s income tax filers. Under Wirch’s proposal, individual taxpayers would get a one-time rebate of $982 while married joint filers would get $1,964.
Wirch said in an interview Thursday he came up with the idea on his own.
“I drove through the McDonald’s line, and the lady that gave me my coffee and a Egg McMuffin, I thought, ‘My God, if this woman could get $1,000, that would be great!’” Wirch said.
Wirch’s district includes Kenosha, and as one might expect, people here were on board with the idea of the state sending them a check.
“We got lucky somehow. Business was better and more tax receipts, and we got a surplus,” Bob Baruskok said. “But at the end of the day, it’s our money. I think everybody should get one-thousands bucks.”
For others, the one-time payouts would help them close in on some of their savings goals.
“Pay my bills, a couple of my bills that I need to pay off,” Gabriel Nunnery said. “Put something together to try to get me a car with some of the money that I have.”
Under the proposal, part-time and out-of-state residents would not qualify for the rebate checks, even if they pay some income taxes in Wisconsin.
Wirch’s bill is unlikely to become law. Republicans in charge of the Legislature have pursued a series of tax cuts. This week, the Assembly sent a series of proposed cuts to the desk of Democratic Gov. Tony Evers.
Those bills include an income tax cut targeted toward people making less than $150,000 per year. The GOP bills also included exemptions on retirement income and increased tax credits for child care and married couples.
At the same time, Evers has pushed for the Legislature to put much of the surplus toward guaranteeing long-term state aid for child care providers and launching a paid family leave program.
Wirch said he believes the rebate plan is a fair compromise.
“I respect the governor’s plan, but we have a history of the two sides not working together,” he said. “And I’m hopeful that I can get the public involved in this ‘give the money back’ [proposal] to force both sides to adopt a plan.”
However, Wirch said his proposal for one-time payouts hasn’t gotten a warm reception from his colleagues on either side of the aisle.
“Candidly, they’ve kind of looked at me like I’m from another planet because they’re not used to giving money back to the taxpayers,” Wirch said. “Democrats and Republicans are kind of looking at me in a strange way on this proposal.”
Are rebates the best use of a surplus?
UW-Milwaukee Associate Economics Professor Scott Drewianka said he doubted one-time payouts would be the most effective way to use the state’s surplus.
“A $1,000 check for many people is almost no real difference,” Drewianka said. “They’re gonna put it in the bank or they’re paying off a credit card. That’s good, but it’s just kind of where it ends.”
Drewianka said the proposal would undoubtedly make a difference for people scraping by, but added the majority of taxpayers would likely save much of their rebate, limiting the impact on local economies.
“It would certainly help if it stops somebody from declaring bankruptcy,” he said. “But for most people, that’s probably not what’s happening.”
Drewianka said it might be wiser to leave at least some of the surplus in place as additional cushion should a future economic downturn put the state in a bind.
Wirch instead pointed to Wisconsin’s separate ‘rainy day’ fund, which currently has about $1.8 billion. He said that amount was a perfectly good protection plan, and Wirch also insisted his rebate proposal was the fairest way to use up the $3.2 billion surplus.
“And it’s the simplest way, too,” he said. “Where’s the cutoff point? We [would] have to argue about that. Where’s the cutoff point, and who gets it and who doesn’t get it? This is the simplest way, I think.”
Manuel Franco claims his $768 million Powerball jackpot
Manuel Franco, 24, of West Allis was revealed Tuesday as the winner of the $768.4 million Powerball jackpot.
Mark Hoffman, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
The Wisconsin Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Nov. 25, 2024, results for each game:
Winning Powerball numbers from Nov. 25 drawing
05-35-45-60-63, Powerball: 12, Power Play: 2
Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 3 numbers from Nov. 25 drawing
0-9-4
8-1-4
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 4 numbers from Nov. 25 drawing
3-2-7-4
0-0-7-7
Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning All or Nothing numbers from Nov. 25 drawing
Midday: 02-03-04-05-08-10-11-13-15-19-22
Evening: 01-02-03-04-09-11-12-14-17-18-20
Check All or Nothing payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Badger 5 numbers from Nov. 25 drawing
03-06-15-18-25
Check Badger 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning SuperCash numbers from Nov. 25 drawing
08-17-28-30-32-34, Doubler: N
Check SuperCash payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize
- Prizes up to $599: Can be claimed at any Wisconsin Lottery retailer.
- Prizes from $600 to $199,999: Can be claimed in person at a Lottery Office. By mail, send the signed ticket and a completed claim form available on the Wisconsin Lottery claim page to: Prizes, PO Box 777 Madison, WI 53774.
- Prizes of $200,000 or more: Must be claimed in person at the Madison Lottery office. Call the Lottery office prior to your visit: 608-261-4916.
Can Wisconsin lottery winners remain anonymous?
No, according to the Wisconsin Lottery. Due to the state’s open records laws, the lottery must, upon request, release the name and city of the winner. Other information about the winner is released only with the winner’s consent.
When are the Wisconsin Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 9:59 p.m. CT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 10:00 p.m. CT on Tuesday and Friday.
- Super Cash: 9:00 p.m. CT daily.
- Pick 3 (Day): 1:30 p.m. CT daily.
- Pick 3 (Evening): 9:00 p.m. CT daily.
- Pick 4 (Day): 1:30 p.m. CT daily.
- Pick 4 (Evening): 9:00 p.m. CT daily.
- All or Nothing (Day): 1:30 p.m. CT daily.
- All or Nothing (Evening): 9 p.m. CT daily.
- Megabucks: 9:00 p.m. CT on Wednesday and Saturday.
- Badger 5: 9:00 p.m. CT daily.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Wisconsin editor. You can send feedback using this form.
MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) – Gas prices are the cheapest they’ve been since the pandemic, just as people prepare to travel for the holidays.
According to AAA Wisconsin, the average gas prices is $2.86 per gallon in the state, a new low since 2020.
”We’ve had so many disruptions in the last four to five years between Covid and then the Ukraine conflict that has sent prices either far down or bringing them to historic highs,” AAA Director of Public Affairs Nick Jarmusz said. “We kind of forget what normal is.”
He said the low cost at the pump is a result of peak summer travel season ending, an even supply and demand for fuel and fewer global crises.
”Right now we’re in a pretty favorable balance between lower demand and pretty plentiful supply and no real disruptions to speak of,” he said.
People can save more money at the pump if they drive the speed limit.
”By sticking closer to the speed limit, avoiding aggressive driving in situations, you can actually increase your fuel efficiency by about 40% or up to 40%,” Jarmusz said. “Which can add up to pretty significant savings.”
If trends continue, he also said prices might drop even more. ”Really, I would not be surprised to see these prices continue to go down,” Jarmusz said. “I don’t think we’ve seen the lowest prices we’ll see this year yet.”
According to AAA the best times to travel before Thanksgiving on Thursday is in the morning hours on Tuesday and Wednesday. Roads will be busiest in the afternoons.
Click here to download the WMTV15 News app or our WMTV15 First Alert weather app.
Copyright 2024 WMTV. All rights reserved.
Wisconsin
Game 12 Wisconsin football two-deep for Minnesota Gophers game Nov. 29 at Camp Randall Stadium
MADISON – A look at the unofficial two-deep for the Wisconsin football team heading into its game against Minnesota at 11 a.m. Friday at Camp Randall Stadium.
OFFENSE
Quarterback
1 – Braedyn Locke, 6-1, 205, redshirt-soph.
2 – Mabrey Mettauer, 6-4, 230, fr.
Running back
1 – Tawee Walker, 5-9, 218, sr.
2 – Darrion Dupree, 5-10, 205, fr.
Receiver
1 – Bryson Green, 6-3, 213, sr.
2 – C.J. Williams, 6-2, 196, jr.
Receiver
1 – Vinny Anthony II, 6-0, 188, jr.
2 – Quincy Burroughs, 6-2, 212, r-soph.
Slot recever
1 – Will Pauling, 5-10, 187, r-jr.
2 – Trech Kekahuna, 5-10, 187, r-fr.
Tight end
1 – Riley Nowakowski, 6-1, 243, r-sr.
2 – Tucker Ashcraft, 6-5, 255, soph.
Left tackle
1 – Jack Nelson, 6-7, 316, sr.
2 – Barrett Nelson, 6-6, 302, r-soph.
Left guard
1 – Joe Brunner, 6-5, 313- r-soph.
2. – James Durand, 6-5, 305, r-fr.
Center
1 – Jake Renfro, 6-3, 302, r-sr.
2. – Kerry Kodanko, 6-2, 308, r-sr.
Right guard
1 – Joe Huber, 6-5, 310, r-sr.
2 – JP Benzschawel, 6-6, 312, r-jr.
Right tackle
1 – Riley Mahlman, 6-8, 308, r-jr.
2 – Kevin Heywood, 6-8, 325, fr.
DEFENSE
Line
1 – Ben Barten, 6-5, 308, r-sr.
2 – Elijah Hills, 6-3, 282, sr.
Line
1 – Curt Neal, 6-0, 290, r-soph.
2 – Cade McDonald, 6-6, 285, r-sr.
Outside linebacker
1 – Darryl Peterson, 6-1, 248, r-jr.
2 – Aaron Witt, 6-6, 247, r-jr.
Inside linebacker
1 – Jake Chaney, 5-11, 233, sr.
2 – Tackett Curtis, 6-2, 228, soph.
Inside linebacker
1 – Christian Alliegro, 6-4, 240, soph.
2 – Jaheim Thomas, 6-4, 245, r-sr.
Outside linebacker
1 – Leon Lowery, 6-3, 252, r-sr.
2 – Sebastian Cheeks, 6-3, 230, r-soph., or John Pius, 6-4, 250, r-sr.
Cornerback
1 – Ricardo Hallman, 5-10, 185, r-jr.
2 – R.J. Delancy III, 5-11, 193, r-sr., or Jonas Duclona, 5-10, 190, soph.
Strong safety
1 – Hunter Wohler, 6-2, 218, sr.
2 – Owen Arnett, 5-11, 210, r-jr.
Free safety
1 – Preston Zachman, 6-1, 212, r-sr.
2 – Austin Brown, 6-1, 210, jr.
Cornerback
1 – Nyzier Fourqurean, 6-1, 190, r-sr.
2 – R.J. Delancy, 5-11, 193, r-sr., or Xavier Lucas, 6-2, 198, fr.
Nickel back
1 – Austin Brown, 6-1, 210, jr.
2 – Max Lofy, 5-10, 188, r-sr.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Punter
1 – Atticus Bertrams, 6-3, 225, soph.
2 – Gavin Meyers, 6-1, 198, r-sr.
Field goal kicker
1 – Nathanial Vakos, 6-1, 205, jr.
2 – Gavin Lahm, 6-0, 213, jr.
Kickoffs
1 – Gavin Lahm, 6-10, 213, jr.
2 – Nathanial Vakos, 6-1, 205, jr.
Long snapper
1 – Cayson Pfeiffer, 6-0, 205, sr.
2 – Duncan McKinley, 6-2, 222, r-sr.
Holder
1 – Gavin Meyers, 6-1, 198, r-sr.
2 – Atticus Bertrams, 6-2, 225, soph.
Punt returner
1 – Vinny Anthony II, 6-0, 188, jr.
2 – Hunter Wohler, 6-2, 218, sr.
Kickoff returner
1 – Vinny Anthony II, 6-0, 188, jr.
2 – Trech Kekahuna, 5-10, 197, r-fr.
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