In Wisconsin, a recent Trump parade organized by local farmers has underscored a critical issue that has been largely overlooked: Kamala Harris’ backing of a significant shift in the inheritance tax. Her support for the American Housing and Economic Mobility Act proposes slashing the estate tax exemption from $13.6 million to just $3.5 million.
This change may not be getting much media coverage, but it poses a serious threat to family-owned farms. For small farmers, this could mean the difference between keeping their land in the family and having to sell it off to settle the tax bill.
Mark Christenson, a 76-year-old farmer from Jefferson County, shared his worries about the future of his farm. He wants to pass it down to his grandson, but Harris’ tax proposal could force his family to sell part of their land to cover the inheritance tax. “We’ve put in decades of hard work. I want my family to continue our legacy, but this tax plan could take that away,” Christenson said.
Wisconsin farmers often have valuable land but struggle with cash flow. Even small farms can be worth millions, yet 75% of farms in the state earn less than $100,000 a year, with many families relying on additional jobs to make ends meet. “This proposed tax could force us to sell the land we’ve worked so hard to keep,” said Kurth Schaefer, another farmer from Jefferson County.
The current estate tax exemption is set to expire in 2026. Reducing it to $3.5 million could impact many more families. Democrats plan to fund a $40 billion affordable housing initiative and raise the corporate tax rate from 21% to 28% using the additional revenue from this tax change.
The recent Republican National Convention (RNC) in Milwaukee was a celebration of unity and optimism for the future, contrasting with the Democratic National Convention (DNC) in Chicago, which Schaefer felt was more focused on criticism and division. “The RNC showed a vision of hope, while the DNC seemed more about tearing down individuals and ideas,” Schaefer commented.
The Trump parade in Watertown, organized by the Republican Party of Jefferson County, was a show of local support for former President Trump. Brian Norby, the County Party Chairman, highlighted the enthusiasm of attendees, noting, “It was an opportunity for Trump supporters to come together and demonstrate their support.”
Parade-goer Corby Davis, a dedicated Trump supporter, expressed her excitement about the event. “It was wonderful to see so many people come out for this,” Davis said as the parade’s flag-covered vehicles passed by.