MILWAUKEE, Wis. – In exploring what Wisconsin political candidates pay in state taxes, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel found two who paid nothing in recent years.
> State Treasurer Sarah Godlewski, who is stepping down to run for the U.S. Senate, didn’t pay any state income taxes in 2017 and 2018. The newspaper quoted a campaign aide that Godlewski’s state tax liability was minimal because of charitable contributions, state economic development credits, and venture investments in new companies that were not yet profitable. As state treasurer she earns $72,000 a year. With hr husband, Max Duckworth, Godlewski runs the MaSa Partners venture capital firm. The firm focuses on projects that invest community betterment.
> Lieutenant Governor Mandela Barnes, who also is running for the U.S. Senate, paid no income tax in 2018 and was receiving state Medicaid assistance. Barnes explained that he was while running for lieutenant governor at the time and was unemployed. Now, as lieutenant governor, he earns $80,000 a year. His career has been mostly as a community activist in Milwaukee.
Earlier: Expert: Nothing may be amiss in Johnson taxes