Wisconsin Assembly passes child tax credit and tax holiday

WISCONSIN (CBS 58) – The Wisconsin State Assembly passed a child tax credit Thursday and a state tax holiday.

The bill would give parents a tax rebate worth $100 for every child under 18. Walker called for the plan in his State of the State Address.

Parents can elect to donate that rebate to charity. The bill also creates a sales tax holiday during the first week in August, meant for back to school shopping.

It’ll mean a tax exemption on most many purchases.

The bill was changed Thursday to allow retailers to opt out.

Republicans say it’s giving money back to taxpayers. Democrats call it an election year gimmick.

“There was no real action on something like this until Governor Walker realized his poll numbers were in the tank, where Democrats won a district that Donald Trump won by 17 points,” said Assembly Minority Leader Gordon Hintz (D) – Oshkosh.

“There is no doubt that we've got a single goal, and that's to make government more affordable in our state. Governor Walker came up with a creative idea. One that we support, to have a childcare tax credit,” said State Rep. Joe Sanfelippo (R) – New Berlin.

The bill now goes to the Senate. House Speaker Robin Vos says the other chamber can take it or leave it.