GAVIN MICHAELSON
Money was at the forefront of the first, and potentially only, debate between Coulee Region candidates on the November ballot.
During Wednesday's debate between Democratic State Sen. Brad Pfaff and Republican challenger Stacey Klein, the 32nd Senate District candidates differed on many issues. Discussion surrounding the economy and taxes highlighted major differences between the candidates.
Both candidates agreed state funds are best spent locally, allowing community leaders to invest in projects they find important to the region, the candidates had strongly differing perspectives on taxes.
Taxes
In 2023, Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu proposed a bill that would transition Wisconsin to a flat income tax system at a rate of 3.25% - a policy proposal Klein said she supports.
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"I really liked some of the things that our legislature put forward in the last session," said Klein. "One of the largest tax cuts in history for everyone across the board. ... Unfortunately, Sen. Pfaff voted against (this), and this is money that we could have gotten back into the taxpayers' hands."
Pfaff said he opposed the bill because the flat tax rate would most benefit the wealthy, at the expense of the lower and working middle class. Current tax rates range from 3.5% for the lowest income bracket to 7.65% for the highest income bracket.
"I do not support the flat tax," said Pfaff , arguing instead for a targeted individual tax reduction. "I, frankly, do not believe that it is fair that a teacher who makes $50,000 a year should pay the same tax rate as a multimillionaire that lives in Madison or Milwaukee.
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