Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch asked business leaders how the administration could make them happy. A common recommendation: tax breaks.
The December 9 meeting in Beloit was closed to the public, but the Wisconsin State Journal obtained a video of the gathering through an open records request. Lt. Gov. Kleefisch had said an open meeting might have made some people nervous about expressing their perspectives.
In the video, Kleefisch tells about 30 business leaders, "We want to know how we can love you more." She and Gov. Walker's revenue secretary have been charged with holding discussions about possible ways to reform Wisconsin's tax system.
http://youtu.be/T0l5aRZfSVA
One business representative told Kleefisch that other states give his clients 'luxurious stuff' and millions in tax incentives. The Lt. Gov. responded that Wisconsin taxpayers don't want their state government wining and dining potential investors and expect accountability.
Among other ideas the business interests offered were to reduce income and property taxes while increasing the sales tax, simplify Wisconsin's tax code and issue business loans that don't require payback, if certain criteria are met.