Mediaboss Marketing

Strengthening the middle class in Wisconsin is a top priority for Assembly Democrats in the 2015-16 legislative session, said Assembly Minority Leader Peter Barca, D-Kenosha, last week.

"Most importantly is ... trying to create a better environment for the middle class, trying to ensure that there are more family-supporting jobs, trying to make sure that people have the ability to make a living (and) support their family in dignity," Barca said.

From Democrats' perspective, the policies favored by the Republican lawmakers who carry the majority run counter to that goal.

Barca criticized tax cuts that have benefited the state's wealthiest taxpayers over those in lower income brackets, along with reductions to credits that benefited low-income taxpayers like the Earned Income Tax Credit and the Homestead Credit.

The theme that stands out from the 2013-14 legislative session, Barca said, is the issue of income inequality.

"When you take the trickle-down approach, as theyve done, its just never proven to be effective," he said, adding that Democrats' proposed solution is. "Lets help build the middle class and theyll buy more goods and services. Small business owners will do better if more middle-class people have money in their pockets."

Democrats see a further threat to the middle class in right-to-work legislation, an idea some Republicans have voiced interest in. Gov. Scott Walker has said work on such a bill would be a distraction to other reforms he wants passed.

"The Assembly speaker has indicated that it wont originate in the Assembly," Barca said. "So Im glad to hear that. Im hoping that as people learn more about what it really does and the negative impact it has on the middle class, maybe the bill wont advance. Thats my hope."

Barca also voiced concerns with cuts made to public education funding, along with the possibility of further expansion to the state's school voucher program. He questioned whether taxpayer-funded voucher schools are held to the same level of scrutiny and accountability as public institutions.

Other worrisome Republican proposals, from Barca's perspective, include calls to reform the state Government Accountability Board and its process for John Doe investigations.

Link:
Wisconsin Assembly Democrats focused on strengthening middle class, says Peter Barca