Wisconsin Policy Forum

09/25/2023

"Water sales by the state's public utilities have fallen significantly over the past few decades, fueled by conservation efforts and shuttered manufacturing facilities, according to a new report by the Wisconsin Policy Forum."

Check out this coverage of our latest research, via Wisconsin Public Radio. We found the volume of water sold by Wisconsin’s water utilities has fallen to near its lowest level per person in at least a generation, and likely much longer.

Of all categories (residential, commercial, and industrial), industrial usage has declined the most.

Last year, 574 Wisconsin utilities sold over 138 billion gallons of water, down from a high of 175 billion in 1998, according to a new report. Since 1997, statewide water sales have fallen by 18 percent.

09/22/2023

Forum President Rob Henken will be at Marquette University Law School on Sept. 26 for the latest in their "On the Issues" event series: "Under Pressure, Justice in the Time of Covid."

He'll discuss our recent report that found key pillars of Milwaukee County’s justice system are not functioning as they did pre-pandemic. This merits urgent attention by policymakers, and a response with potential new strategies and resources.

Access Open to Public On the Issues: Under Pressure, Justice in the Time of Covid Register Add to Calendar iCal / Outlook Google Date Tuesday, September 26, 2023 12:15 PM Location Eckstein Hall 1215 W. Michigan Milwaukee, WI 53201 United States Contact [email protected] Please join us on....

09/20/2023

Join us Nov. 15 in Milwaukee for the Forum's 31st annual Salute to Local Government awards!

This is Wisconsin's premier public event to recognize the positive impact of public-sector excellence for taxpayers and communities across Wisconsin.

Awards go to local governments and school districts for innovation, equity, and inter-governmental and public-private cooperation -- and to individuals for excellence and lifetime achievement.

New this year, in partnership with the La Follette School of Public Affairs: UW-Madison: an award for innovative performance in state government.

Our keynote speaker for this year's Salute is someone who needs no introduction for those familiar with our state Capitol & Legislature: Bob Lang, longtime director of Wisconsin’s Legislative Fiscal Bureau.

Doors to the event will open at 11:30 a.m. on Nov. 15 at Milwaukee's Italian Community Center. Registration opened today; we hope to see you there!

Join the Wisconsin Policy Forum for our 31st Annual Salute to Local Government awards! Our celebration recognizes the positive impact that public sector ingenuity and excellence have on taxpayers and communities throughout Wisconsin. Award categories showcase local governments and school districts f...

09/19/2023

"With residential property values rocketing upward in recent years, the gap between local property tax assessments and market values in Wisconsin has grown..."

Check out this BizTimes Milwaukee coverage of our latest research.

It found that due to the pandemic real estate boom, many properties were assessed at far below market value in 2022.

As many municipalities play catchup, property owners may be in for a surprise -- and there may be inequities between neighborhoods and classes of property.

With residential property values rocketing upward in recent years, the gap between local property tax assessments and market values in Wisconsin has

09/18/2023

"Spiking home sale prices are raising new questions over whether local governments in Wisconsin are accurately assessing property values, and with that, are evenly doling out property taxes."

Milwaukee Business Journal covers our latest research. We found that the pandemic real estate boom meant that in 2022, many properties were assessed far below market value.

As some municipalities play catchup, property owners may be in for a surprise -- and there may be assessment inequities between neighborhoods and classes of property.

The market value of properties in the past four years increased at the highest rate in four decades. Municipal assessors don’t seem to be keeping up.

09/15/2023

"Wisconsin's sharply rising home values have created a big gap between local property tax assessments and market values − raising concerns about the property tax system's fairness, a new study says."

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel covers our latest, which examines the gap that arose as real estate values rocketed upward during the pandemic.

More than 800 municipalities in the state have assessed values for all properties within their borders lower than 80% of market value – the largest gap since at least 2011, and likely much longer.

Total assessed values in more than 800 Wisconsin municipalities are lower than 80% of their market value, says the Wisconsin Policy Forum.

09/13/2023

Thanks to WORT FM for having us on air to discuss the findings of our newly updated Property Values & Taxes DataTool. During the last 2 years, it has documented historic increases in property values in communities across Wisconsin.

Wisconsin’s 13.1% increase in total equalized property values in 2023 was the 2nd-largest since 1985, ranking only behind 2022.

The interactive DataTool features property value and tax data for all of Wisconsin’s 72 counties and 1,850 cities, villages, and towns.

  Last week, the Wisconsin Policy Forum released their latest findings using their Property Values and Taxes DataTool. The Tool is publicly accessible on their website and has tracked a […]

09/12/2023

"The 2022-2023 school year marked the highest rate of teacher turnover in state school districts since at least 2009."

WKOW 27 cites our recent research on Wisconsin's surging rate of teacher turnover.

We found turnover began inching upward in 2022 and surged in 2023 when record numbers of teachers shifted between districts, and the most teachers since 2012 left public school classrooms altogether.

Some Teachers in Wisconsin blame a lack of funding and respect for education for a recent spike in educator turnover.

09/11/2023

"Wisconsin’s 13.1% increase in total equalized property values in 2023 was the second-largest percentage increase since at least 1985."

The Daily Reporter cites findings of our Property Values & Taxes DataTool, an update of which is out now. The interactive tool enables users to compare data for all of Wisconsin’s 72 counties and 1,850 cities, villages, and towns.

At a statewide level, gross property tax levies approved by local governments in late 2022 increased 2.4% statewide. This topped the 2021 increase of 1.6%, but lagged the 8% rate of inflation.

Meanwhile, the statewide gross property tax rate declined 10% -- the largest decline since 1996.

Wisconsin’s 13.1% increase in total equalized property values in 2023 was the second-largest percentage increase since at least 1985, topped only by slightly higher growth in 2022.

09/08/2023

This News 3 Now / Channel 3000 coverage of principal turnover in Madison schools cites our research on trends in principal & superintendent turnover.

While some principal transitions bring benefits, they also can impact student achievement, teacher retention, and more.

MADISON, Wis. — As the 2023-2024 school year begins, students and teachers in 13 of the Madison Metropolitan School District schools will have new principals.

09/07/2023

Our updated Property Values & Taxes DataTool is now live at http://wispolicyforum.org/research

This interactive tool lets you compare property value amd tax changes for all of Wisconsin’s 72 counties, and 1,850 cities, villages and towns.

Our key findings also highlight statewide trends. Wisconsin’s 13.1% increase in total equalized property values in 2023 was the 2nd-largest percentage increase since at least 1985, topped only by slightly higher growth in 2022.

Statewide, gross property tax levies approved by local jurisdictions in late 2022 increased 2.4%. This was greater than the 2021 increase of 1.6%, but less than increases in 2019 and 2020.It also was less than the 8% rate of inflation in 2022.

Because annual growth in property values exceeded the growth in levies, the statewide gross property tax rate declined 10%. It was the 9th consecutive year in which the state’s gross tax rate has declined, and the largest decline since 1996.

09/06/2023

The next installment of our popular virtual event series will be "Tackling Teacher Workforce Challenges in Wisconsin."

JOIN US Sept. 29 for this insightful conversation! Our guests will be: Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction Superintendent
Dr. Jill Underly, WI State Superintendent; Alverno College Director of Graduate Programs and Professor of Education Desiree Pointer Mace; and Urban Learning Collaborative - ULC Executive Director Laci Coppins Robbins.

Registration is free but required for this event. We hope you can join us!

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...

09/06/2023

WRCO Radio in Richland Center cites our recent research on Wisconsin's surge in teacher turnover.

We found record numbers of teachers shifted between districts in 2023, while the most teachers since 2012 left public school classrooms altogether.

While turnover rates were stable in the first two years of the pandemic, rates have jumped over 5% between 2021 and 2023.

09/05/2023

"There are all the elements here for the two sides to reach some sort of a deal. ... It is really a matter of political will."

Our research director Jason Stein spoke to PBS Wisconsin about the new tax cut proposal from GOP state Assembly leaders.

Wisconsin Policy Forum Research Director Jason Stein details a Republican proposal to use budget surplus funds to cut one state income tax bracket rate and exempt a certain level of ...

09/01/2023

The Eau Claire Leader-Telegram Editorial Board cites our recent research on Wisconsin's recent teacher turnover surge.

They also used our data interactive to take a deeper look at how the issue is playing out in the Chippewa Valley.

You may have seen some articles in recent days about teacher turnover in Wisconsin. They were probably spurred by a data analysis by the Wisconsin Policy Forum, a nonpartisan body

08/31/2023

TODAY'S THE DEADLINE to nominate state or local governments or school districts, or their employees, for our Salute to Local Government Awards.

These awards fill a key role in Wisconsin by recognizing public-sector excellence in our state.

Click the link to learn more about award categories!

We are again accepting nominations for our 31st annual Salute to Local Government. The Salute is a unique event that highlights and celebrates the value of public sector performance and the benefits that public sector innovation and excellence bring to taxpayers and our community as a whole. We welc...

08/31/2023

“I used to, as a principal, have 200 applications for a first-grade position. ... Now you’re lucky to get an application for a position.”

WFRV Local 5-Green Bay cites Two Rivers School District officials -- as well as Forum research -- in this coverage of Wisconsin's teacher turnover and workforce challenges.

(WFRV) – Most school districts will be back in session in just a couple of weeks in northeast Wisconsin. And most school districts are facing serious teacher shortages. “I’m in my 31st year i…

08/30/2023

"When we think about turnover, it’s really about: how do we keep teachers in classrooms altogether?"

Forum senior researcher Sara Shaw spoke to WJFW Newswatch 12 in Rhinelander about our research showing Wisconsin teacher turnover surged in 2023. Most turnover was due to teachers leaving public classrooms, rather than moving between districts.

Wisconsin public schools are facing higher teacher turnover rates. Teacher turnover is normal but according to the Wisconsin Policy Forum the 2022 to 2023 school year saw the highest in

08/29/2023

Forum senior researcher Sara Shaw joined Sara Maslar-Donar on the latest episode of WKOW 27's Capitol City Sunday.

They discussed our recent research examining Wisconsin's surge in teacher turnover -- what may be causing it, what it means for students, and how districts may wish to respond.

MADISON (WKOW) -- Wisconsin's Democratic Attorney General Josh Kaul still isn't saying whether his office is investigating efforts to overturn the 2020 election in Wisconsin.

08/23/2023

NEW: Our updated interactiove School DataTool is out today, with findings that include:

-Rates of chronically absent students continued to increase in Wisconsin schools in 2021-22, with the reported data rising even more sharply than the 1st year of the pandemic.

-The share of students in grades 3-8 scoring proficient or advanced on Forward Exams in English language arts & math increased in 2021-22 across grade levels. However, for each grade, it has not yet rebounded to pre-pandemic levels.

-High school student participation in the ACT test also increased in 2021-22, as did the share of students scoring 3 or higher on advanced placement (AP) exams.

-The statewide enrollment decline in 2022-23 (6,339 students) was Wisconsin’s 2nd-largest in 12 years, exceeded only in 2020-21.

-Public school enrollment declined among American Indian, Black, and white students. Asian, Hispanic, & students of 2 or more races increased.

Our interactive School DataTool enables comparison of each of the state’s public school districts on metrics relating to student demographics/participation, district finances, graduation rates, test scores, and other metrics. https://wispolicyforum.org/research/school-datatool/

08/22/2023

The Forum's Sara Shaw spoke to PBS Wisconsin about our latest research on Wisconsin's surge in teacher turnover.

She shared our findings on which teachers and districts are most affected -- and what policy responses might help address the issue.

Our research found after initially low rates early in the pandemic, teacher turnover inched upward in 2022 and surged in 2023. Record numbers of teachers shifted between districts, and the most teachers since 2012 left public school classrooms altogether.

Wisconsin Policy Forum senior education researcher Sara Shaw explains a study examining a surging number of teachers leaving their jobs and communities where this trend is most acute around the ...

08/21/2023

"The COVID-19 pandemic's impact on teacher turnover didn't happen immediately. In 2021, teacher turnover was below average, at 10.5%. In 2022, it crept up to 12.4%. Then, it spiked in 2023, to 15.8%."

WUWM 89.7 FM - Milwaukee's NPR spoke to Forum senior researcher Sara Shaw about our new research on the surge in teacher turnover in Wisconsin.

In an average year, about one in 10 Wisconsin teachers leaves for a different school district or different job. That number shot up last school year — to about one in six teachers leaving their classrooms.

08/18/2023

"As legislation like [the American Rescue Plan] gets debated at the federal level, it can still play out at the state & local level in very different ways from the original intent.”

Our VP and research director Jason Stein was quoted in The 74 on his remarks at the Governmental Research Association annual conference last month in Massachusetts.

Stein was discussing the surprising ways in which federal pandemic aid affected state funding for schools in Wisconsin.

Rash: The upsides of spending made possible by pandemic relief funding are held in tension with the reality of what happens when the money runs out.

08/18/2023

The Forum's Sara Shaw and fellow Maria Hamidu (now with
Milwaukee Succeeds) joined WORT FM News to discuss our latest report on Wisconsin's surge in teacher turnover.

We found turnover was caused to a greater extent by teachers exiting public school classrooms altogether, rather than moving between districts.

It was more prevalent among teachers of color, and in rural school districts.

In the last school year, more than fifteen percent of all Wisconsin public school teachers either switched school districts or left the profession altogether. That’s according to a new report […]

08/17/2023

is all about recognizing organizations in your community that work to make it better.

Today we ask: please consider supporting the Forum.

As Wisconsin's source for nonpartisan, independent public policy research, our work is made possible by the generosity of hundreds of members including corporations, local governments, school districts, nonprofits, and individuals.

Join hundreds of corporations, nonprofits, local governments, and school districts who utilize the Wisconsin Policy Forum as a valuable and reliable source of independent, nonpartisan government research, information, and facilitative civil dialogue in Wisconsin. Membership benefits include:

08/17/2023

"A new Wisconsin Policy Forum report provides historical context to show that last year’s (teacher) turnover rate was the highest it's been over the past 14 years."

The Capital Times cites our look at the surge in teachers leaving public school classrooms in 2023.

Our research found that increased levels of teacher turnover were caused to a greater extent by teachers exiting public school classrooms altogether, rather than moving between districts.

Nearly one in six teachers moved to a new district or left the profession between the last two school years, a Wisconsin Policy Forum study found.

08/17/2023

The Wisconsin Policy Forum is currently accepting nominations for its Salute to Local Government awards.

The awards recognize outstanding performance by local governments and school districts.

Nominations are due August 31: https://ow.ly/vopp50P90GP

08/16/2023

Wisconsin Public Radio covers our latest research, which examines the surge in teachers leaving public school classrooms:

"Turnover rose to nearly 16 percent in the 2022-23 school year, up from an average of 11.5 percent since 2009, according to the Wisconsin Policy Forum, which looked at the reasons nearly 116,000 teachers at roughly 450 school districts and other K-12 entities left their jobs over the last 15 years."

A new report shows the 2022-23 school year saw the highest percentage of educators leaving the workforce in the last 15 years.

08/15/2023

Aug. 31 is the deadline for nominations for our 31st annual Salute to Local Government awards, which celebrate the value of excellence in the public sector.

We encourage nominations for local governments and school districts in every corner of Wisconsin!

Salute award categories recognize outstanding performance by Wisconsin governments and school districts for innovative problem-solving, advancing racial equity, intergovernmental cooperation, private-public cooperation, and individual excellence.

This year, we're pleased to announce a new award category in partnership with the La Follette School of Public Affairs: UW-Madison. It will recognize innovation by an employee or program of state government. Established with a gift from Lloyd Gladfelter, it will include a cash prize.

We are again accepting nominations for our 31st annual Salute to Local Government. The Salute is a unique event that highlights and celebrates the value of public sector performance and the benefits that public sector innovation and excellence bring to taxpayers and our community as a whole. We welc...

08/15/2023

Our latest research finds Wisconsin's teacher turnover rate began inching upward in 2022 and surged in 2023. In the 2022-23 school year, Wisconsin's teacher turnover rate rose to 15.8% – the highest in 14 years of data.

Record numbers of teachers shifted between districts, and the most teachers since 2012 left public school classrooms altogether.

Our report relies on a sweeping analysis of public school staffing data from the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction going back to 2009.

Turnover overall from 2009 to 2023 was more prevalent among teachers of color than their white counterparts, in districts serving vulnerable student populations, and among rural school districts as well as those with the lowest enrollment. Turnover was caused to a greater extent by teachers exiting public school classrooms altogether, rather than moving between districts.

After initially low rates during the first full school year impacted by the pandemic, teacher turnover began inching upward in 2022 and surged in 2023 when record numbers of teachers shifted between districts, and the most teachers since 2012 left public school classrooms altogether. Overall, turnov...

08/14/2023

WKOW 27 covers our latest research, and highlights how remote work may help explain a curious data point from our analysis:

Wisconsin saw an increase in tech jobs from 2019-22, yet data show its 3 largest metros (including Madison) had job losses in those occupations.

A report from the Wisconsin Policy Forum (WPF) found that the Madison area lost over 8,000 jobs between 2019 and 2022, led in part by declines in the technology sector.

08/11/2023

CBS 58 spoke to our president Rob Henken about one of our latest reports. It found key pillars of Milwaukee County’s justice system are not functioning in the same way -- or at the same level -- as before the COVID-19 pandemic.

While reported crime is up slightly from 2018 to 2022, there were big declines in arrests. The rate at which prosecutors bring charges in referred cases has declined. In court, cases are taking longer to be resolved, and a felony case backlog has grown.

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- A new study from the Wisconsin Policy Forum shows the Milwaukee County justice system is still recovering from COVID-19 impacts.Researchers worked with justice system officials to

08/10/2023

"Lower-wage jobs were hit harder by the pandemic than higher-wage jobs across Wisconsin, according to a report from the nonpartisan Wisconsin Policy Forum."

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel covers our latest research, which looks at Wisconsin's employment and wage trends from 2019 to 2022.

During the height of the pandemic and its immediate aftermath, employment in higher-paying occupations in Wisconsin stayed largely stable, while thousands of lower-paying jobs were lost.

Meanwhile, wages rose faster in lower-paying occupations, as employers sought to retain and attract employees amid a reshuffling of the workforce.

Lower-wage jobs were hit harder by the pandemic than higher wage jobs across Wisconsin, according to a report from non-partisan Wisconsin Policy Forum

12/22/2022

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

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

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

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

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

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

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...