The number of Wisconsin children who are from low-income families has climbed for the ninth straight year, according to a new report from the state’s Department of Public Instruction.

In the 2012-13 school year, 42% of Wisconsin children were eligible … Read more

Americans are driving fewer miles than they did ten years ago, reversing a decades-long trend. Given the magnitude of the change and the implications for the future of transportation, state legislators should think about moving away from policies that support … Read more

In his proposed budget, Governor Walker recommends setting aside a portion of education funding to distribute to schools based on their performance. While this proposal might sound attractive on the surface, it will result in significant funding increases for schools … Read more

Every $1 Invested Generates $6 in Additional Revenue

Governor Walker has made it clear that he is a fan of smaller state government. That’s why it’s notable that he has proposed adding 32 full time equivalent (FTE) positions at the … Read more

Budget reserves have been in the news recently, with many legislators sharply rebuking the University of Wisconsin System for maintaining a sizable reserve.  Yet there’s been virtually no attention paid to the state’s general fund reserve, which suffers from the … Read more

It’s clear that the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation faces challenges in properly administering the state’s economic development programs. What’s less clear is what, if anything, state policymakers are going to do about that.

Numerous problems at WEDC came to light … Read more

Senate Expected to Level Playing Field for Main Street Businesses

Legislation that would allow states to compel internet retailers to collect sales taxes is expected to pass the U.S. Senate in the next couple days. Passage of the Marketplace … Read more

A proposal by Republican state legislators could have the effect of cutting the maximum number of weeks of unemployment benefits by half or more. 

The new proposal would link the maximum duration of state unemployment benefits to the state’s unemployment … Read more

Two federal tax credits are responsible for lifting tens of thousands of Wisconsin children out of poverty. Together, the Earned Income Tax Credit and the Child Tax Credit lift 136,000 Wisconsinites out of poverty, including 71,000 children, according to a … Read more

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