Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce - Wisconsin's Chamber

06/11/2026

“It’s no wonder employers say Wisconsin is headed the wrong way: we’re already among the highest-taxed states in the nation, with top-10 individual and property tax burdens and a top-12 corporate tax burden,” said Kurt R. Bauer, WMC President/CEO. “Property taxes are a punishing fixed cost, owed whether a business is just starting out, expanding, or struggling. With Governor Evers’ 400-year autopilot increase, Wisconsin is on track to climb even higher.”

06/10/2026

A majority of Wisconsin employers (71 percent) support eliminating the state’s personal income tax, with 46 percent saying they “strongly support” it. Only 14 percent of respondents opposed eliminating the state’s income tax.

Read more: https://www.wmc.org/wisconsin-employer-survey/

06/09/2026

NEW: A staggering 71 percent of Wisconsin employers report an increase in their property tax bill for owned or leased commercial property over the past year.

"We’re already among the highest-taxed states in the nation, with top-10 individual and property tax burdens and a top-12 corporate tax burden,” said Kurt R. Bauer, WMC President/CEO. “Property taxes are a punishing fixed cost, owed whether a business is just starting out, expanding, or struggling. With Governor Evers’ 400-year autopilot increase, Wisconsin is on track to climb even higher.”

Read more: https://www.wmc.org/press-releases/survey-property-tax-hikes-drive-push-for-state-tax-reform/

06/08/2026

It's not too late! Applications for the Business Friend of the Environment Awards (BFOE) are due this Friday, June 12.

This program, presented by WM, is a great opportunity to gain meaningful recognition for your work—and the process is simpler than you might think:

📝 No Nomination Needed – companies may apply directly

✅ Easy Application Process – submit a brief narrative and company details

✨ Valuable Recognition – a chance to showcase your environmental impact

Learn more and apply: https://www.wmc.org/bfoe/

06/04/2026

Wisconsin has a competitiveness problem. With a hefty tax burden on middle-class families and businesses, a declining population, an unworkable regulatory environment, poor educational outcomes, and unaffordable health care, our state is falling behind.

But many of these economic challenges have solutions, as shared by WMC's Kurt R. Bauer on WBAY this week. By addressing property and income taxes specifically, we can better attract businesses and families looking to settle down. This in turn would help solve some of our workforce and demographic challenges.

06/03/2026

Wisconsin has the 4th highest hospital costs and the 2nd highest health care costs in the nation. Why is this reality and what can be done? WMC's Rachel Ver Velde joined Dan O'Donnell yesterday to discuss:

Rachel Ver Velde, WMC’s Associate Vice President of Government Rela...

06/03/2026

Thanks to property tax increases like Governor Evers' 400-year veto, the average age of a first-time homeowner in Wisconsin is now 40. Ten years ago, the average age was 29.

Watch more from the Wisconsin Competitiveness Report video series: https://www.wmcfoundation.org/the-future-wisconsin-project/media-gallery/

06/02/2026

"Businesses decide where to invest based on which states make it easiest to operate, grow, and succeed. Some states roll out the red carpet for businesses. Other states roll out the red tape."

Why do we shop online? Easy. The process is simple, predictable, and efficient. Business investment decisions work the same way. Businesses decide where

05/29/2026

Wisconsin officially became the 30th U.S. state on May 29, 1848! Today we celebrate our heritage and work toward a bright future. Happy Statehood Day!

05/28/2026

🚨NEW SERIES: In the first episode of a new video series, WMC's Kurt Bauer and Wade Goodsell bring WMC Foundation's Wisconsin Competitiveness Report to life. Will we be a state that rolls out the red carpet for business, or will we continue to create red tape?

Wisconsin is at a turning point. The choices we make now will shape our ability to grow, attract talent, and compete.