Badger Institute

Wisconsin Tax Options: A Guide
to Fair, Simple, Pro-Growth Reform

A new book by the Badger Institute and the Tax Foundation details how Wisconsin’s overall tax structure remains behind competitor states in simplicity, tax rates and business climate for residents and investment.

Badger Institute Policy Symposium

Join us at the State Capitol on Feb. 20 for “Common-sense Solutions for Wisconsin,” a symposium featuring distinguished experts discussing the ideal tax structure for Wisconsin, proven criminal justice policy reforms, the costs of occupational licensing and alternative approaches for funding our highways.

Details Here

Overcoming a mountain of occupational regulation in Wisconsin requires more than baby steps

New state report doesn’t include comparisons with other states and policy recommendations. By visiting fellow Ed Timmons.

A green light for fixing
Wisconsin's Interstates

Bipartisan legislative support for a tolling study likely exists and is validated by two major reports. Wisconsin can pioneer 21st century Interstates, becoming a model for all the other states. The time to begin is the 2019 legislative session. By Robert W. Poole Jr.

Illinois’ loss could be Wisconsin’s gain

The fiscal calamity looming for our neighbor to the south could help lure businesses and workers to the Badger State. By visiting fellow Jay Miller.

Breaking the cycle of incarceration

When law enforcement and ex-offenders come together, good things can happen. Partners in Hope is a Milwaukee prisoner reentry program where cops, federal agents and prosecutors (among others) offer training, mentorship and friendship to people returning from prison or jail. The result is changed perspectives and transformed lives on both sides.

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What's new from the Badger Institute

Wisconsin Tax Options: A Guide to Fair, Simple, Pro-Growth Reform

A new book by the Badger Institute and the Tax Foundation is based on a year of over 100 interviews with Wisconsin taxpayers, businesses and lawmakers, as well as a top-to-bottom study of the Badger State’s tax code history and trends.

Expungement Reform: Pathways to Employment

Wisconsin legislators and stakeholders held a news conference on Jan. 29 to unveil the "Expungement Reform: Pathways to Employment" bill. The bill would allow individuals with misdemeanors or Class H and I felonies to also seek expungement after they serve their sentence, remove the age 25 restriction and would apply retroactively to those who served time before the new legislation.

Institute grows team, moves to larger office

The Badger Institute's growth will allow even greater impact on key policy issues, President Mike Nichols says. Recent personnel changes include: Julie Grace, policy analyst in the Institute's Center for Opportunity; Kirsten Golinski, development associate; Brad Wassink, policy consultant; and Dr. Ed Timmons, visiting fellow.

How federal grants are turning state governments against their own people

Almost a third of the money in many state government budgets now comes directly from Washington, D.C. But why are federal taxpayers paying for Wisconsin’s bike paths? By Mike Nichols and Dan Benson, published in The Federalist.

A journey of second chances

Imagine a prisoner reentry program where the mentors include an FBI agent and a former federal prosecutor. Or a graduation ceremony where ex-offenders are encouraged, cheered and hugged not just by family and friends but by police officers, prison officials and judges. Imagine what could happen if the law enforcement community partnered with nonprofit organizations and employers to increase the likelihood of successful transition back to the community, breaking the cycle of incarceration. This video tells the story of Partners in Hope, a new reentry program in Milwaukee that has made this vision a reality.

Diggings Fall 2018

► Newspapers fail to disclose left-wing funding for stories
► Wisconsin’s front-row seat to liberal media bias
► Dental therapists could fill void in Badger State
► The high price of financial illiteracy
► UW women’s studies program now offers 100 courses
► The ironic facts: Women are flourishing at UW
► Sand Valley Golf Resort lifting Adams County
► Slippery slope for pro-business Republicans

Wisconsin: A Blueprint for More Workers

Report provides an overview of labor force participation in Wisconsin. Increasing the rate by just 1 percentage point would increase state GDP by $667 annually per resident. By Badger Institute visiting fellows Ike Brannon and Andrew Hanson.

Interactive map of labor force participation rates

An interactive map shows the labor force participation rate for every Wisconsin county. Washington County enjoys the highest participation rate (74.8%), while Adams County has the lowest rate (48.6%). View the map here.

Rethinking Wisconsin’s Highways

The Badger Institute hosted transportation expert Bob Poole to discuss Rethinking Wisconsin’s Highways. Poole promoted public-private partnerships and user-based tolls to address the congestion, maintenance, funding battles and pork barrel spending associated with the status quo. Watch video here.

Licensure reform helps barbers, cosmetologists

Madison — Barbers, cosmetologists and other beauty professionals are now able to practice their professions with fewer regulatory burdens after reforms were signed into law that reduce complicated and costly licensing requirements. Read more here.

Project for 21st Century Federalism

The Project for 21st Century Federalism is the Badger Institute's multi-year investigation of the growth in federal grants and their effect on state and local governance. Highlights of the project: