This post originally appeared at https://wisconsindailystar.com/news/wisconsin-lawmakers-introduce-tiny-tot-tax-cut/mkittle/2023/07/31/

Taking a page from a Florida plan to bring tax relief to families, two Badger State Republican legislators are pushing a bill that would create a sales tax exemption on baby-related products.

State Representative David Steffen (pictured above, right) (R-Howard) and State Senator Jesse James (pictured above, left) (R-Altoona) recently introduced the “Tiny Tot Tax Cut” to help fight inflation where it can hurt families the most.

The exemption would apply to baby essentials, including everything from diapers and wipes to car seats and strollers.

“The Tiny Tot Tax Cut prioritizes the care, safety, and health of our kids. The bottom line is that the cost of raising kids adds up, and things like diapers, bottles, car seats and safety gates aren’t luxuries that families can simply eliminate during this inflationary economy,” Steffen said. “This proposal is a creative solution to help reduce the financial stress on our young families while ensuring our kids have the products they need.”

In May, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed what has been billed as the largest tax relief plan in the Sunshine State’s history, delivering $2.7 billion in tax relief during the 2023-24 fiscal year. The package includes a permanent exemption for baby and toddler necessities. It also issues two back-to-school sales tax holidays lasting 14 days each, and a freedom summer sales tax holiday on recreational items and children’s toys from Memorial Day to Labor Day.

“Because of President Biden’s disastrous economic policies, Florida families are feeling the pressure of inflation on their wallets. But in Florida, we are ensuring that our state’s economic success gets passed on to the people that made it possible. ” DeSantis, a top-tier candidate for the GOP presidential nomination, said in a statement after signing the tax relief package. “I will continue to push smart fiscal policy that will allow Florida families to keep more of their hard-earned money in their pockets. Stronger families make a stronger Florida.”

That appears to be the idea behind the plan Steffen and James are offering.

The Wisconsin Legislative Fiscal Bureau estimates a young child products tax exemption would save parents roughly $37 million over the biennium, according to the lawmakers.

“We believe in supporting our families, and we know that these little ones are our future. This tax cut is a common-sense way to help in these financially strained times,” James said.

In signing Wisconsin’s two-year budget, Governor Tony Evers used Wisconsin’s powerful veto pen to gut most of a $3.5 billion tax cut package that the Republican-controlled Legislature passed. Evers, a Democrat, also used his veto pen to sneak in significant funding for Wisconsin’s public schools for the next 400 years.

Republican leadership had vowed to challenge the governor’s constitutionally suspect veto on ed spending. Weeks later, Evers’ veto has gone uncontested.

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M.D. Kittle is the National Political Editor for The Star News Network.

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