NEWS

Gov.-elect Evers and Lt. Gov.-elect Barnes to kick off budget listening tour across Wisconsin on Tuesday

Rick Barrett
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Gov.-elect Tony Evers (center), Lt. Gov.-elect Mandela Barnes and state Rep.-elect Shelia Stubbs (D-Madison) laugh as they tour the Boys & Girls Club of Dane County in Madison.

Gov.-elect Tony Evers and Lt. Gov.-elect Mandela Barnes will launch a statewide tour Tuesday to gather public input on budget priorities as they prepare to take office in January.

The tour will kick off in Green Bay and wrap up in Milwaukee the following week. Each session will give participants a chance to share their budget ideas with Evers, Barnes and their transition policy staff.

Evers telegraphed his own priorities during his election campaign, pledging to cut income taxes for the middle class — individuals who earn up to about $100,000 a year and families who earn up to about $150,000 — by 10 percent.

The plan would provide about $340 million in tax relief. To cover much of it, Evers said he would scale back the manufacturing and agriculture tax credit by nearly $300 million.

RELATED:Tony Evers says he would cut income taxes by 10 percent for the middle class

He also proposed spending an additional $1.4 billion on education and vowed to restore the state's commitment to fund two-thirds of school costs.

RELATED:Tony Evers seeks $1.4 billion increase for Wisconsin schools

RELATED:Tony Evers vows to restore state commitment to fund two-thirds of schools in 2019-'21 budget

"The people of Wisconsin elected me to solve problems and listen to the needs of everyone," Evers said Saturday in a statement announcing the tour.

"Through this process, we are going to hear directly from the people and build a budget that reflects the values and priorities of the citizens of Wisconsin," he added.

Anyone interested in attending the sessions may register online at the links for each stop of the tour. The sessions are:

Tuesday in Green Bay: 4:30 to 6 p.m. in the Phoenix Room at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay Union. Register at https://bit.ly/2SCUh30

Wednesday in Wausau: Noon to 1:30 p.m. at the Wausau Labor Temple, 318 S. Third Ave. Register at https://bit.ly/2UrKkqC

Dec. 18 in La Crosse: Noon to 1:30 p.m. at American Legion Post 52, 711 6th St. South. Register at https://bit.ly/2EamsSE.

Dec. 19 in Milwaukee: 4:30 to 6 p.m. at United Way of Greater Milwaukee, 200 West Pleasant St. Register at https://bit.ly/2B3PoJ6.