WATCH: New ad calls on Rep. Van Orden to make big corporations pay their fair share

Wisconsin dairy farmer calls out Van Orden’s votes in favor of big corporations while family farmers and small businesses are left behind

Tuesday, April 2, 2024

LA CROSSE, Wis. – In a new ad from Opportunity Wisconsin, a third generation dairy farmer from La Crosse calls out Congressman Derrick Van Orden’s votes to give tax breaks for big corporations, while family farmers and small businesses are left behind. 

The ad also asks Van Orden to support President Biden’s new proposal to ensure large corporations pay their fair share by raising the corporate minimum tax rate. The President’s proposal also improves tax fairness by cutting taxes for working families, including an increase in the Child Tax Credit and an expansion of the Earned Income Tax Credit.

“While Congressman Derrick Van Orden has voted for tax giveaways to big corporations, too many small businesses and family farms here in Wisconsin are struggling to make ends meet,” said Opportunity Wisconsin Program Director Meghan Roh. “President Biden has a plan to improve tax fairness by delivering relief to working families and ensuring those at the top pay their fair share. Congressman Van Orden should listen to his constituents and support the President’s plan that improves tax fairness and makes big corporations play by the same rules the rest of us do.”

The ad began running earlier this week on digital platforms across the Third Congressional District and is part of Opportunity Wisconsin’s previously-announced seven-figure media buy across the state.

Ad Transcript: I’m a third generation Wisconsin dairy farmer. I call it God’s country, and I’ve lived here all my life. The thing about most dairy farmers is we pay our taxes that are due, unlike some large corporations. Derrick Van Orden is not looking out for us. He voted for tax cuts for large corporations that don’t even need them. It’s not right that those of us that play by the rules get left behind. Derrick Van Orden is looking out for large corporations, while family farms’ futures are in jeopardy. 

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New TV ad asks Rep. Bryan Steil to support an expanded cap on insulin costs

Steil has voted against multiple bills to cap insulin costs as the Biden administration introduces a plan to expand the $35 insulin cap to everyone

Monday, March 25, 2024

KENOSHA, Wis. – Opportunity Wisconsin’s latest TV ad asks Congressman Byran Steil to support the Biden administration’s recent proposal to expand the Inflation Reduction Act’s $35 cap on monthly insulin costs to all Americans.

The ad features Diana, a 1st Congressional District constituent, who has previously had to skip insulin doses due to the high cost of her prescription. In Congress, Rep. Bryan Steil has opposed lowering prescription drug prices, including voting against the Inflation Reduction Act which capped monthly insulin costs and created an annual cap on out-of-pocket prescription costs for people on Medicare. Steil previously voted against the Affordable Insulin Now Act, which was written specifically to cap insulin costs. Since insulin costs were capped, more Wisconsinites have already begun to fill prescriptions.

In his State of the Union address and FY 2025 budget, President Biden proposed an expansion of the Inflation Reduction Act which would extend many of the drug price protections to all Americans, instead of only those with Medicare coverage. 

“Although Congressman Bryan Steil has spent years voting against lowering insulin costs, the Inflation Reduction Act has proven that these caps are successful. Now, he has the opportunity to do the right thing and support President Biden’s proposal to lower prescription drug prices for even more Americans,” said Opportunity Wisconsin Program Director Meghan Roh.

The ad began airing Monday as part of Opportunity Wisconsin’s previously announced seven-figure paid media campaign. 

Ad Transcript: “Insulin used to cost hundreds of dollars. I didn't take the amount that I was supposed to take because I couldn't afford it. Finally, Congress did something. Insulin prices were capped at $35 for seniors on Medicare. It was a huge relief but Bryan Steil voted to keep the price high. He sided with the drug industry. Now he wants more tax breaks that would benefit rich drug company executives. I don't think Bryan Steil cares if we pay more.”
 

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House passes final FY24 funding package without harmful cuts to programs Wisconsinites depend on

Democrats secure increased funding for child care, Head Start, and programs to support small businesses and workers

Friday, March 22, 2024

MADISON, Wis. – Opportunity Wisconsin Deputy Program Director Elisabeth Montemurro released the following statement after the House passed the final government appropriations package to cover FY24 spending:

“After six months of gridlock and inaction caused by harmful, Republican-backed proposals, the House has finally passed the remaining funding packages to cover the current fiscal year. Thankfully, these proposals abandon many of the dangerous cuts Republicans in Congress have tried to push through, including restricting access to Social Security and Medicare benefits and slashing food assistance programs for women, children, and seniors. The funding passed by the House today will help make meaningful investments in child care and Head Start programs, fund programs to support small businesses and job training, and strengthen public education programs. Congress now has the opportunity to build on these investments by supporting President Biden’s recent budget proposal, which will continue to lower costs, improve access to health care, and support working families.”


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Report: Expanding IRS Direct File program could save Wisconsinites $141 million in filing fees

The money-saving Direct File pilot program was created as part of the Inflation Reduction Act and is currently open in 12 pilot states

Friday, March 15, 2024

MADISON, Wis. – In case you missed it, a new report by the Economic Security Project details how an expansion of the new IRS Direct File program could save Wisconsinites $141 million in annual filing fees and generate $339 million in value for the state.

The IRS Direct File pilot program launched earlier this week in 12 states, creating a free and easy way for many Americans to file their annual tax returns. In addition to saving taxpayers time and money in preparing their returns, the Direct File program also makes it easier for individuals and families to claim tax credits they qualify for. 

The program was created as part of the Inflation Reduction Act, which is already helping Wisconsinites keep more money in their pockets by capping prescription drug prices, lowering energy rates, and more. 

“Thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act, many Americans now have access to a free and easy way to file their tax returns. Expanding the Direct File program to Wisconsin will save millions and help working families access tax credits and keep more of their hard-earned money,” said Opportunity Wisconsin Program Director Meghan Roh.
 
Economic Security Project: The Impact of Direct File—by the Numbers

Direct File is the Internal Revenue Service’s revolutionary new project to provide free, simplified, public online tax filing for the first time in U.S. history. The program launched in 2024 with a pilot program that is intentionally restricted in scope to a small share of the taxpayers that could ultimately benefit from the service. At scale, its potential benefits for American taxpayers are extraordinarily large. A public option for tax filing, Direct File can make the tax preparation market more equitable, inclusive, and competitive.

This report is the first to estimate the total financial benefits of the Direct File program for American taxpayers. It finds that, at maturity in five years, Direct File would save the average user $160 in filing fees and hours of their time each year, which saves Americans a total of $11 billion annually between filing fees and time costs. By breaking down barriers to filing, Direct File would also deliver up to $12 billion each year in additional tax credits to low-income families currently missing out. Appendix A breaks down the projected taxpayer savings and impact by state. 

These savings represent an enormous return on investment given the small net cost of the program. For every dollar invested in the program, Direct File delivers $106 in benefits to American taxpayers, between savings on tax preparation fees and access to untapped tax credits. Few programs deliver this kind of bargain. 

Specifically, Direct File would deliver two types of benefits to taxpayers: 

  • Saving tax preparation costs and time for existing filers. Direct File could save existing tax filers $8 billion in filing fees and an additional $3 billion in time costs. In addition, it could spare more than 400,000 filers a year from the stress of IRS correction proceedings and audits. This does not even consider additional gains to these taxpayers in terms of increased privacy and not having their data sold to third parties.

  • Closing the tax credit uptake gap. Direct File could meaningfully close the long-standing refundable credits coverage gap — tax benefits like the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and the Child Tax Credit (CTC) that low-income households are entitled to but do not claim. In total, Direct File could deliver $5-12 billion in federal refunds per year to families who currently do not file returns. If EITC and CTC expansions from the American Rescue Plan were re-enacted, this figure would increase to $19-47 billion per year. These estimates do not consider additional federal credits, or additional benefits from state credits and refunds that currently go unclaimed.

Download the full report [PDF]


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Rep. Bryan Steil voted against funding for Wisconsin infrastructure projects announced by President Biden today

Steil voted against the Inflation Reduction Act which is lowering costs and funding projects to strengthen Wisconsin

Wednesday, March 13, 2024

MILWAUKEE, Wis. – As the Biden administration announces $39 million in grants to support local infrastructure projects today, Wisconsinites are reminded that Congressman Bryan Steil voted against the funding that is making these grants possible.

President Biden is visiting Wisconsin today to highlight the grants which will help improve safety, improve affordable transportation access, and help reconnect communities negatively impacted by highway construction as part of the Neighborhood Access and Equity program. The grants include more than $36 million to transform 6th Street in Milwaukee. 

Funding for the Neighborhood Access and Equity program was made possible by the Inflation Reduction Act, which Congressman Bryan Steil voted against and Congressman Derrick Van Orden opposed. Additional grants were made possible through the Reconnecting Communities Pilot Program, funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law which Steil also voted against.

In addition to funding for critical programs like these, the Inflation Reduction Act is also lowering costs for many Wisconsin families and seniors by capping insulin costs at $35 per month and capping annual out-of-pocket prescription drug costs for Medicare recipients. In his State of the Union address, President Biden also proposed extending many of these provisions to more Americans, including those with private insurance.

“If it were up to Congressman Bryan Steil, funding for these important projects wouldn’t exist. Thankfully, President Biden and Democrats in Congress have continued to support working families and communities by supporting policies like the Inflation Reduction Act that are lowering costs and making critical investments,” said Opportunity Wisconsin Program Director Meghan Roh. “With President Biden’s recent proposals to expand the Inflation Reduction Act, increase tax fairness, and hold big corporations accountable, Wisconsin’s congressional delegation has an opportunity to vote in favor of policies that help working families succeed.”
 

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President Biden returns to Wisconsin after announcing new policies to support working families

Republicans in Congress should support Biden’s plans to lower costs, protect Social Security and Medicare, and make billionaires pay their fair share of taxes

Wednesday, March 13, 2024

MADISON, Wis. – President Biden’s visit to Wisconsin today comes just days after he announced new policies aimed at helping working families succeed by lowering costs, protecting key programs, and making the wealthiest Americans pay their fair share of taxes.

“President Biden is prioritizing working families and seniors by introducing common sense policies that will help Wisconsinites succeed,” said Opportunity WIsconsin Program Director Meghan Roh. “These new proposals will build on the success of the Inflation Reduction Act and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law which continue to grow our economy, lower costs, and create jobs. Now, Congress has the opportunity to make these proposals a reality. It’s time for Congressmen Bryan Steil and Derrick Van Orden to work with Democrats and support President Biden’s budget to give Wisconsin families the support they deserve.”

In his State of the Union address and FY 2025 budget proposal, President Biden outlined multiple policies that support working families and grow our economy, including:
 

  • Lowering Drug Prices: The President’s proposal would expand many of the Inflation Reduction Act’s prescription drug provisions beyond Medicare recipients, including a $35 monthly cap on insulin costs and $2,000 annual cap on out-of-pocket prescription drug costs.

  • Middle Class Tax Relief: The budget would cut taxes for middle- and low-income Americans by $765 billion in the next decade, including a restoration of the Child Tax Credit. 

  • Ensuring Billionaires and Large Corporations Pay Their Fair Share: Changes to the tax structure would promote tax fairness while reducing the deficit. The President’s proposals would require billionaires to pay at least a 25 percent tax rate and crack down on wealthy tax cheats and corporations who refuse to pay their fair share.

  • Protecting Social Security Benefits: The budget protects Social Security benefits Americans have earned by asking the highest-income Americans to pay their fair share. The President’s plan also ensures Americans can access their benefits by making investments to improve the Social Security Administration. 

  • Protecting and Strengthening Medicare: The President’s budget strengthens Medicare by closing loopholes in existing Medicare taxes while increasing Medicare tax rates on higher-income earners. These changes will extend the solvency of the Medicare trust fund indefinitely.


[Source: FY 2025 White House Fact Sheet]


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Statement on President Biden’s State of the Union Address

Congress must work with President Biden to lower costs, hold corporations accountable, and support working families in Wisconsin

Thursday, March 7, 2024

MADISON, Wis. – Opportunity Wisconsin Program Director Meghan Roh released the following statement on President Biden’s State of the Union address this evening:

“Thanks to President Biden and Democrats in Congress, Wisconsin’s working families and seniors are already seeing relief from rising costs, health care is more affordable, and critical investments are being made to strengthen our infrastructure and create good paying jobs. Tonight, we heard directly from President Biden about his vision for our country and the opportunity we have to support working families here in Wisconsin. It’s time for Republicans in Congress, including Congressmen Bryan Steil and Derrick Van Orden, to work with the president to lower costs, hold big corporations accountable, and protect the programs that are helping Wisconsinites succeed – including Medicare and Social Security.”

The Biden administration and Democrats in Congress are already delivering results for working families and helping strengthen the middle class.

The Inflation Reduction Act is lowering health care costs for Wisconsinites by capping insulin costs at $35 per month. This cap is already estimated to be saving 31,000 Wisconsin seniors $600 per year. Additional prescription drug costs will also be lowered thanks to Medicare’s ability to negotiate for drug prices, and a new rebate program is already lowering costs for 48 prescription drugs whose prices were raised by big pharmaceutical companies faster than the rate of inflation. In his State of the Union address, President Biden called for many of these provisions to be expanded to even more Americans.

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is also strengthening Wisconsin communities and ensuring workers and families have safe and reliable infrastructure. Wisconsin has already been allocated $6.3 billion in funding for hundreds of projects, including expanded public transit systems, programs to help lower energy bills, and funding for airport projects across Wisconsin to strengthen our economy, cut costs for families, and create good-paying jobs.

Despite the success of these programs, Republicans in Congress continue to propose repealing many of the provisions that are already saving Wisconsinites money and helping our economy grow. Opportunity Wisconsin and its statewide coalition will continue calling on Wisconsin’s Congressional delegation to support working families and reject any attempt to undo the progress that has been made during the Biden administration.


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Statement on House passage of appropriations bills

Congress must also reject harmful cuts ahead of the next funding deadline on March 22nd

Wednesday, March 6, 2024

MADISON, Wis. – Opportunity Wisconsin Program Director Meghan Roh released the following statement following the passage of six appropriations bills ahead of this week’s deadline:

“After months of gridlock and dysfunction created by Republicans in Congress, the House finally passed six initial appropriations bills earlier today. But after months of shutdown threats and proposed funding cuts that hurt working families and seniors, Congress has more work to do ahead of the next deadline on March 22nd. In the coming days, Republicans in Congress, including Congressmen Derrick Van Orden and Bryan Steil, must reject harmful cuts that could cut access to Social Security and Medicare, threaten teachers’ jobs, slash support for small businesses, and more. While both Steil and Van Orden have voted for similar cuts in the past, they need to reject them and pass the remaining appropriations bills without cuts or extreme policy riders.”


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