What's New

Options for Closing the Shrinking Medicaid Deficit, (May 4, 2012).

Working Families to Pay Higher Taxes (April 5, 2012).

A Hidden Tax Hike for Seniors (February 1, 2012).

Tables for Annual, Monthly and Hourly Earnings at Various Percentages of the Poverty Level (January 2012).

Falling Support for Schools Threatens Wisconsin’s Economic Future (January 9, 2012). Related WBP press release.

Policy Changes Affecting Working Families in 2012 (January 9, 2012).

WCCF has updated its charts containing information on tax credits available to low-income families. Available in English, Spanish, and Hmong (December 2011).

Losing Out: How Wisconsin Surrendered $1.3 Billion in Federal Money (December 12, 2011). Related WBP press release.

Wisconsin Taxes as a Share of Income at a 15-Year Low ( November 17, 2011). 

$4.7 Billion from Two Recovery Measures Directly Benefitted Wisconsin Residents (November 2011); also see county-by-county estimate of additional benefits related to the stimulus.

What’s Passed Is Prologue: Looking Ahead to 2013-15; Lawmakers Shouldn’t Count on a Significant Balance in the Next Budget (September 12, 2011).

New Census Data Confirm Wisconsin Has a Lean Public Sector (September 7, 2011) .

On the Path To Becoming a ‘C’ Student in Education - Once a National Leader, Wisconsin Slips Toward Average (August 30, 2011). Related WBP press release.

WCCF Series Examines Impact of Budget on Kids and Families. The series highlights different ways children and families will be affected by the budget, and begins the process of rebalancing Wisconsin’s priorities (August 2, 20100). Read WCCF press release and “31 Ways in 31 Days” on the WCCF blog.

Effects of the Biennial Budget and Budget Repair Bills for Working Families (Updated July 14, 2011).

Tax Cuts and Tax Increases in the Budget Bill and 2011 Special Session Bills (July 14, 2011).

Fact Sheet on Unemployment Compensation and Extended Benefits in Wisconsin (July 7, 2011, Updated August 2, 2011).

Comparative Analysis of 2011-13 Biennial Budget Bill (Updated July 6, 2011).

Increasing Share of Scarce Resources Spent on Corrections (July 6, 2011).

Extended Unemployment Benefits Can Provide a Critical Boost for Wisconsin’s Jobless Workers and the State’s Economy (June 23, 2011).  

The Budget’s Real-Life Impact on Wisconsin Families (June 23, 2011).

The Budget’s Real-Life Effects on Workers in the Public Sector (June 22, 2011).

Comparison of Medicaid Policy-Making Changes in Act 10 and the Biennial Budget Bill (June 21, 2011).

Quick Facts about the Wisconsin Budget

» Based on the most recent national data (from 2008), Wisconsin ranked 27th in total state and local spending (measured as a percentage of income).

» Contrary to the perception that our state has a large government bureaucracy, Wisconsin ranked 39th (12th lowest) in 2010 in the number of state and local government employees relative to population.

Still On Our Radar

Budget Betrayal of Wisconsin Values (June 16, 2011).

Wisconsin Values Budget and one-page summary (May 25, 2011)

Wisconsin Has Nation's Highest Ratio of Manufacturing Jobs to Government Jobs
(May 25, 2011).

Decrease in Tax Revenue Contributed to State Fiscal Difficulties (Updated May 11, 2011)

The Erosion of the Homestead Tax Credit-Value of Property Tax Relief Lessened by Effects of Inflation (May 2011).

Wisconsin’s Fiscal Challenges and Strengths: How Do We Compare? (April 2011).

WCCF Webcast on State Budget Issues. View webcast. View PowerPoint presentation (April 12, 2011).

Constitutionally Requiring a “Fiscal Responsibility Fund”(April 11, 2011).

Budget Repair Bill Resources

New Budget Adjustment Bill, Combined with Previous Legislation, Very Similar to Governor’s Original Proposal(April 2011).

New Census Data on State and Local Spending and Revenue (January 2011).

The Recession's Impact on Wisconsin Counties: Unemployment and Poverty Rates are Up, Health Insurance is Down in 2009. See county data and interactive charts here (December 2010).