Wisconsin Policy Forum

12/22/2022

Our top five research findings for 2022

Here at the Forum, we're taking a moment to look back at our top 5 research findings of 2022.

Findings related to Milwaukee County public health, racial homeownership disparities, education spending, and Wisconsin's public sector workforce top this year’s list.

The Forum’s 2022 research portfolio covered a wide range of issues, which are reflected in our annual top five research findings list. Only one of this year’s top five (a finding related to the city of Milwaukee’s fiscal condition) came from the area of government finance – traditionally the...

12/21/2022

Report: Wisconsin communities weigh offering remote workers incentives to relocate

In this coverage of our research on where Wisconsin stands amid a national trend of communities offering worker relocation incentives, Madison Region Economic Partnership tells the Wisconsin State Journal that businesses also are doing more to entice workers.

Some municipalities are investing in creating amenities that are attractive to new residents and workers, including education, healthcare and broadband infrastructure.

Amid the increased prevalence of remote work, our research found more worker relocation incentive programs are being launched -- particularly in Midwest states. So far just a few Wisconsin communities have adopted or are considering them.

Incentives can come in the form of cash payments – with amounts ranging from $1,000 to $15,000 – or a stipend that can be put toward the purchase or construction

12/15/2022

'Here & Now' Highlights: Jim Zellmer, Jason Stein

Our research director Jason Stein spoke to PBS Wisconsin about the remarkable shift in Wisconsin's state budget outlook from 2020 to 2022.

Also: why an unprecedented projected surplus in the next budget could give policymakers an historic opportunity.

Nitrate is Wisconsin's most common groundwater contaminant and can cause health problems if people drink water containing unsafe levels of it from their private wells — the Wisconsin Department of ...

12/15/2022

College Material

Our latest research finds less than half of graduates from public high schools in Milwaukee are enrolling in college immediately after high school. And colleges in the region are seeing only one-third of their enrollees graduate in the expected time frame.

Data on public school students in Milwaukee, including district and charter schools, show a “leaky” postsecondary pipeline that is losing students at key stages -- from high school completion to college enrollment and graduation.

In Milwaukee, various programs outside the traditional school system have arisen to improve these outcomes. Our report reviews that landscape and offers suggestions to improve it.

In the city of Milwaukee, the vast majority of students do not achieve both high school and college graduation. Local coalition All-In Milwaukee has termed this situation a “completion crisis,” and it is negatively impacting not only those students but also the region’s workforce challenges. I...

12/14/2022

Report finds Wisconsin homeowners can expect modest property tax increase for public schools

Our senior research associate Ari Brown spoke to News 3 Now / Channel 3000 about our latest research on local property taxes. We found school district levies will increase modestly, despite measures in the current state budget aimed at lowering them.

Hundreds of school referenda that have passed in the last handful of years – including this November – are a likely cause. Despite the state measures, voters generally have opted instead to increase their own property taxes.

Property tax levies for counties rose 3.4% -- the most in over a decade, but still lagging inflation. (Data for municipalities is not yet available.)

Due to skyrocketing property values, Wisconsin’s taxpayers will see tax rates drop substantially.

A Wisconsin Policy Forum report has found that homeowners can expect a modest increase in property taxes, despite state-imposed limits.

12/13/2022

Report: K-12 school property tax payments will rise statewide

The Capital Times cites our latest research on rising school property tax levies in Wisconsin:

While the "state budget explicitly aimed to lower school-related property taxes, voter approval of an increasing number of local school referendums have offset it enough to cause the continued rise."

Our research found property tax levies for counties also rose by the largest percentage in over a decade. (Municipal data is not yet available.)

But due to skyrocketing property values, Wisconsin taxpayers will see tax rates drop substantially this year.

The Wisconsin Policy Forum found that despite a state budget meant to reduce the K-12 property tax burden, referendums have led to a slight increase.

12/13/2022

K-12 Property Taxes Rise Modestly Despite State-Imposed Limits

Our latest research shows the impact of recent voter approval of school district referenda to increase local property taxes.

Despite measures from the state to lower property taxes paid to K-12 schools, Wisconsin taxpayers will pay $78.7 million more this year.

Property tax levies for counties also rose by the largest percentage in over a decade. However, due to skyrocketing property values, Wisconsin’s taxpayers will see tax rates drop substantially this year.

Despite measures in the current state budget to lower property tax levies for K-12 schools, those levies are rising modestly yet again on December bills – clear evidence of the impact of school district referenda. Property tax levies for counties also rose by the largest percentage in over a decad...

12/12/2022

Capital City Sunday: Democrats strengthen U.S. Senate majority; WI Senate leaders share surplus priorities

"There's no reason why people across the ideological spectrum couldn't get something out of this budget that they're really pleased about."

Forum research director Jason Stein joined A.J. Bayatpour 27 News on WKOW 27's Capitol City Sunday to discuss what an unprecedented expected surplus means for the next state budget.

Following the 2022 midterms, the biggest conservative achievements will likely need to come at the state level.

12/09/2022

Forum Friday: A Look Ahead at Wisconsin’s 2023 Legislative Session

ICYMI: Our Forum Friday event earlier today with Assembly Speaker Wisconsin State Representative Robin Vos and Assembly Assistant Minority Leader Kalan Haywood II.

We discussed how best to use the state's unprecedented $6.6 billion projected budget surplus in the state legislative session that begins in January.

Thanks as well to our near-record number of Forum Friday attendees!

With the recent midterm elections resulting in a mixed verdict – Democratic Gov. Tony Evers was re-elected, and Republicans expanded their legislative majorities – our December installment of our virtual series Forum Friday looked at what that means for the 2023-24 legislative session.

12/08/2022

Report: 2023-25 budget gives Wisconsin officials unprecedented opportunities

"State officials will have an unprecedented opportunity to choose to cut taxes, increase state spending or do both in Wisconsin’s 2023-25 budget, according to a new report."

The Capital Times covers our latest on the state's astounding fiscal position.

Officials will have an opportunity to choose to cut taxes, increase state spending or do both in the 2023-25 budget, according to the Wisconsin Policy Forum.

12/07/2022

There's still time to register for our upcoming virtual event, Forum Friday!

The midterms saw the re-election of Democratic while the GOP expanded its legislative majorities. With this event, we'll look ahead to what it means for the 2023-24 legislative session.

Our special guests will be Assembly Speaker Wisconsin State Representative Robin Vos and Assembly Assistant Minority Leader Representative Kalan Haywood.

Our discussion will focus on the record ~$6.6 billion projected state surplus — the use of which lawmakers and Evers will determine in the upcoming session. https://wispolicyforum.org/events/forum-friday-a-look-ahead-at-wisconsins-2023-legislative-session/

12/05/2022

A new report examines substance-use disorder services in Milwaukee County as drug overdose deaths continue to soar

“It’s absolutely imperative they spend this money right."

As drug deaths continue to increase, our president Rob Henken spoke to Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service about the need for optimal use of the $70 million Milwaukee County expects to receive via the state’s opioid legal settlement.

A new report from the Wisconsin Policy Forum finds gap in substance-use disorder services as Milwaukee County is on pace to surpass its all-time high for drug overdose deaths for the fourth consecutive year.

12/02/2022

Coming survey designed to help school district plan for referendum

In covering discussion about public support for a potential local school referendum, the Boscobel Dial cites our research.

We found of any year in more than two decades, 2022 saw the most Wisconsin school districts ask voters to raise their property taxes to fund education in their community.

BOSCOBEL - In the coming weeks, Boscobel Area School District will launch an effort to measure public support for a referendum to fund consolidation and improvements to district facilities.

12/01/2022

Milwaukee will keep its fire engines and libraries this year but harder days are ahead

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel cites our City of Milwaukee budget research in this piece.

It explains how federal aid helps avert service reductions in Mayor Cavalier Johnson's 2023 budget proposal.

But with onetime federal pandemic aid soon to be exhausted and amid challenges linked to pension funding and state-imposed restrictions on revenue generation, it notes "future budgets look increasingly bleak."

The city is facing dwindling federal pandemic aid, stagnant shared revenue, limited revenue options and a huge spike in its pension contribution.

11/30/2022

Debt owed by Wisconsin's local governments reaches highest level on record

In 2000, Wisconsin "local governments owed a total of $5.23 billion — or $7.86 billion in 2020 dollars.

"Twenty years later, those same local governments owed $11.04 billion — a more than 40.5% increase after adjusting for inflation."

Wisconsin Public Radio covers our latest research on increasing debt owed by Wisconsin local governments, a trend worth watching during a time of fast-rising interest rates.

A new report from the Wisconsin Policy Forum found that the state's local governments rose by 5.4 percent to $11.04 billion in 2020 — the highest amount on record.

11/29/2022

You may know the Forum for its nonpartisan public policy analysis.

Another key to our mission is bringing Wisconsinites together to discuss policy issues with mutual respect; and highlighting public sector excellence -- as we did at our recent Salute to Local Government event.

Join us in seeking to instill Wisconsin's public policy discourse with a data-driven approach that values the search for common ground.

On this Giving Tuesday we ask: please consider making a year-end donation to the Forum to ensure our work continues. https://wispolicyforum.org/donate/

11/22/2022

In the next installment of our virtual event series, Forum Friday: the midterms brought the re-election of Democratic Governor Tony Evers, while Republicans expanded their majorities in the state Legislature. We look ahead to what that means for the 2023-24 legislative session.

Our special guests for this Dec. 9 event will be Assembly Speaker Wisconsin State Representative Robin Vos and Assembly Assistant Minority Leader Representative Kalan Haywood. Our discussion will focus on the record $6.6 billion projected state surplus — the use of which lawmakers and Evers will determine in the upcoming session.

As always, we’ll conclude with a Q&A session for registered participants. Registration is free, but required for this event. We hope you can join us! https://wispolicyforum.org/events/forum-friday-a-look-ahead-at-wisconsins-2023-legislative-session/

11/21/2022

The Forum's 30th Annual Salute to Local Government, held Nov. 16 at the Italian Community Center in Milwaukee, was a wonderful success!

We welcomed more than 400 guests to this celebration of public-sector excellence at the state, local, and school-district level in our state.

And we were delighted to recognize Salute award winners from throughout Wisconsin. Congrats to all award recipients, and thanks to everyone who supported the event!

11/18/2022

Referendum wave swept across Wisconsin last week

The Eau Claire Leader-Telegram cites our research on how more Wisconsin municipalities and counties are going to referendum to increase local property taxes.

In Eau Claire, voters approved a municipal referendum in the November election to help fund public safety -- and a school referendum too.

EAU CLAIRE — Voters in Eau Claire and Chippewa Falls were far from alone last week in approving new property taxes through referendums in Wisconsin.

11/16/2022

Getting ready to open the doors for our 30th Annual -- our annual awards event at which we recognize public-sector excellence throughout Wisconsin.

Click here for a complete list of this year's award winners: https://wispolicyforum.org/2022-salute-to-local-government-award-winners/

11/15/2022

A Record Year for Referenda

In the last decade, school referenda have become a fixture on ballots around Wisconsin.

Now, with inflation high and little growth in state levy limits and aid, other local governments such as municipalities and counties are posing these questions to voters -- and in many cases, finding approval.

The success of these referenda suggests that -- absent action by state policymakers -- they could become a long-term feature of the state’s political landscape.

Although school referenda are larger and draw more attention, voters are increasingly approving measures to raise taxes for other local governments such as cities and villages as well. Last week’s election suggests the trend is growing, with notable implications for both local services and taxpaye...

11/14/2022

Forum Friday: A Look Ahead at Wisconsin’s 2023 Legislative Session

In the next installment of our virtual event series, Forum Friday: the midterms brought the re-election of Democratic Governor Tony Evers, while the GOP expanded its legislative majorities.

We look ahead to what that means for the 2023-24 legislative session.

Our special guests for this Dec. 9 event will be Assembly Speaker
Wisconsin State Representative Robin Vos and Assembly Assistant Minority Leader Representative Kalan Haywood.

Our discussion will focus on the record ~$5 billion projected state surplus — the use of which lawmakers and Evers will determine in the upcoming session.

As always, we’ll conclude with a Q&A session for registered participants. Registration is free, but required for this event. We hope you can join us! https://wispolicyforum.org/events/forum-friday-a-look-ahead-at-wisconsins-2023-legislative-session/

What is Forum Friday? In this webinar format, we discuss a timely research topic and invite notable guests and Forum members to join the conversation. While this virtual event series doesn't replace our in-person events, we hope this can be a way to keep you informed and connected on our state's mos...

11/10/2022

Can Wisconsin Gov. Evers and GOP Legislature work together?

Our research director Jason Stein spoke to The Associated Press about what election results mean for 2023 in the Wisconsin State Capitol.

For the Republican-controlled Legislature and Democratic Governor Tony Evers, a record $5 billion budget surplus should "could be, and should be, an opportunity to bring everyone together."

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Can newly reelected Democratic Gov. Tony Evers and the even-more Republican Wisconsin Legislature work together better over the next two years than the previous four?

11/10/2022

MKE County: 120 New Homes for King Park Neighborhood

Urban Milwaukee reports on a Milwaukee County affordable housing project in Milwaukee's King Park neighborhood.

Also noted: our research that found the homeownership gap between white and Black Milwaukeeans is among the worst in the nation compared to peer cities.

County, CDA select Emem Group and Habitat as developers.

11/08/2022

This Election Day, we at the Forum will be tracking some important (if lower-profile) election results: school, county & municipal government referenda to increase local property taxes.

Watch for a report next week tallying these results and analyzing statewide trends!

11/07/2022

On the chopping block: How quality-of-life issues dominate mayor’s 2023 budget proposal

“For many years the city has been able to avoid cuts to the police budget, and now it is impossible to spare any department.”

Forum president Rob Henken spoke to Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service about the looming fiscal cliff facing the city of Milwaukee in upcoming budgets.

Police, fire and library services are on the chopping block, among many other things. The $1.7 billion proposal offers cuts to almost every function of city government.

11/03/2022

'Major milestone': Communities from Dane, Rock, Jefferson counties vote to form regional fire protection district

“It’s rare that you have 10 municipalities – cities & townships – meeting together & also solving a problem for everybody involved."

News 3 Now / Channel 3000 quotes Milton Mayor Anissa Welch on forming a new fire protection district -- a process Forum research helped to influence.

A 2020 Forum report assessed fire & EMS service options for Milton; its findings were a factor in the city's decision to pursue consolidation options.

And a 2021 Forum report found many Wisconsin fire/EMS agencies are struggling as call volumes rise and part-time staff rosters decline. The situation may demand more agencies consider consolidation, and state policymakers also may need to respond.

Representatives from nearly a dozen municipalities in Dane, Rock and Jefferson counties voted Wednesday night to form a combined fire protection district that will cover more than 200 square miles and more than 25,000 residents.

11/02/2022

MKE County: County Parks Fees Increasing

In coverage of increasing Milwaukee County Parks fees, Urban Milwaukee cites our research on the fiscal challenges facing the county parks system.

We found the county's parks operating expenditures declined 51% in real terms in the last three decades.

Parks system stays afloat - barely - with money making services that provide half its budget.

11/01/2022

Road to Recovery

As policymakers consider how best to use Milwaukee County's share of more than $70 million in opioid settlements, our latest report explores the county's current landscape for substance use disorder services.

We find Milwaukee County has a rare opportunity to improve a fragmented, incomplete system of care.

The opportunity to invest opioid settlement funds could help the county play the lead role to build a coordinated, comprehensive treatment and recovery system.

The challenges associated with alcohol and substance use disorders in Wisconsin and Milwaukee County are well-documented and severe. With regard to alcohol, according to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS), Wisconsin ranked third in the nation in 2019 in the percentage of adults who sa...

10/31/2022

Wisconsin saw record 13.8% increase in property values across the state – Central Wisconsin News

The Star News in Medford cites our 2022 Property Values and Taxes DataTool.

It found total property values in Wisconsin grew by a record 13.8% in 2022, the largest annual increase in decades.

Total property tax levies approved in late 2021 (for 2022 budgets) increased 1.6% statewide -- lagging inflation and the smallest increase since 2014.

As property value growth far exceeded levy growth, property tax rates continued a long-running decline.

News Posted on October 26, 2022 Posted on October 26, 2022 Wisconsin saw record 13.8% increase in property values across the state Wisconsin Policy Forum Property tax levy increase statewide lagged inflation; tax rate saw largest decline since 2005 Total property values in Wisconsin grew by a record...

10/28/2022

Wiedenfeld recognized with award

Our Salute to Local Government event, recognizing public-sector excellence across Wisconsin, is coming up on Nov. 16.

One of this year's award winners, City of New Richmond, Wisconsin Administrator Noah Wiedenfeld, is featured here in the The Star-Observer -- check it out!

If you happen to be privy to the inner workings at the Civic Center in New Richmond, then you would know that City Administrator Noah Wiedenfled is among the first

10/27/2022

Eau Claire on pace for a big '22 for tourism revenues

Eau Claire collected record room tax revenues in 2021 and is on pace to break that record in 2022, Visit Eau Claire, WI tells the Leader-Telegram.

Also cited in this report is recent Forum research that took a statewide look at how room taxes are rebounding from the pandemic.

We found statewide room tax collections largely rebounded in 2021 as leisure travel returned. But it has taken until 2022 for revenues to recover in large cities like Madison and Milwaukee that depend more on business travel.

EAU CLAIRE — Local hotel room tax revenues could hit a new high point this year, signaling that Eau Claire lodging continues to thrive beyond 2021’s rebound.

10/26/2022

Data Wonk: 3 Solutions to City, County Fiscal Woes

Urban Milwaukee cites our recent briefs on the proposed 2023 budgets for the City of Milwaukee and Milwaukee County -- focusing on possible solutions to their long-term budget challenges.

Without one or more of these solutions Milwaukee will see drastic cuts in service.

10/25/2022

Pulaski School District has 2 referendums on November ballot. Here's how they might impact taxes.

In this coverage of Pulaski school district's referendums on the Nov. 8 ballot, the Green Bay Press-Gazette uses our School DataTool to compare its average teacher salaries to other Brown County districts.

The district is asking voters to approve over $78 million in funding. Here's what it's for and how it might impact your taxes.

10/24/2022

'We have less and less': As state funding stagnates, more school referendums on the ballot in Wisconsin

The Wisconsin State Journal cites the Forum on school districts seeking voter approval to increase property taxes.

This year has seen the most school referenda on the ballot in Wisconsin since 2001.

Of the 81 referenda on the upcoming Nov. 8 ballot, 42 are to pay for operational costs.

The 166 school referendums put before voters this year is the highest number since 2001 as more Wisconsin schools turn to referendums to keep the lights on.

10/21/2022

Wisconsin has record $4.3B budget surplus

"The bottom line is that whoever wins the governor's race next month is going to have a once in a generation opportunity to use these funds to transform the state and its programs."

Our research director Jason Stein spoke to Wisconsin Public Radio about the state's record $4.3 billion projected surplus -- and what it will mean for our state's leaders in 2023.

Wisconsin ended its fiscal year with a record $4.3 billion budget surplus. The state Department of Administration released the numbers Friday. The state's rainy day fund also hit its highest number in Wisconsin's history — $1.73 billion.

10/20/2022

Report: Wisconsin's tax burden hits another record low

"State and local governments took in 10.3% of Wisconsinites’ total personal income in 2019; that fell to 10.07% in 2020 — the lowest figure on record since 1993."

The Capital Times cites our latest research: our annual look at Wisconsin's tax burden and how it compares nationally.

State and local governments took in 10.3% of total personal income in 2019; that fell to 10.07% in 2020 — the lowest figure on record since 1993.

10/19/2022

Wisconsin tax burden falls to lowest level in decades

Wisconsin Public Radio covers our look at Wisconsin's tax burden and how it compares nationally.

Wisconsin state and local tax collections rose 1.7% in 2020. But as a share of personal income, Wisconsin’s tax revenues dropped from 10.3% in 2019 to 10.07% -- the lowest since at least 1993.

Wisconsin's national tax ranking actually rose slightly, likely due to collections in other states being hit harder by COVID-19. But Wisconsin’s tax burden remains below the national average and neighboring states.

A key caveat to these rankings: they use data for FY 2020, and thus do not account for Wisconsin’s new $1-billion-a-year income tax cut enacted in the 2021-23 state budget. It should put further downward pressure on Wisconsin’s tax ranking.

Wisconsin’s tax burden hit its lowest level in two decades in 2020, according to an annual report released Tuesday by the Wisconsin Policy Forum.

10/18/2022

Report shows Wisconsin tax burden dropped even as collections rose in 2020

Our latest report is our annual look at Wisconsin's tax burden: state and local tax collections as a share of personal income in the state.

We found in 2020, this fell to its lowest level in at least a generation, as WisPolitics.com reports.

Wisconsin's national tax ranking actually rose slightly, likely due to collections in other states being hit harder by COVID-19.

But Wisconsin’s tax burden remains below the national average and most neighboring states, even as we get less than average from fees and federal aid.

And an important caveat: these rankings use data for fiscal year 2020, and thus do not account for Wisconsin’s recent $1 billion income tax cut enacted in the 2021-23 state budget.

State and local tax collections rose 1.7 percent in 2020 as Wisconsin's tax burden hit its lowest level in decades.