Browsing: News & Analysis

A Wisconsin law requiring schools to inform parents when their students are struggling with reading is going unenforced in far too many districts.

Think of the failure of the $1.8 billion tax-and-spending deal between Gov. Tony Evers and the Legislature as a second chance at better policy.

Millions of dollars have been spent on the aim to build 80 charging stations for electric vehicles at gas stations, hotels, and other venues across Wisconsin.

The Wisconsin Department of Administration has spent nearly $2 million operating two state offices that have since 2019 been denied funding by the Legislature.

The comparison to Milwaukee’s past Socialist mayors highlights how proposals by current Democratic Socialists are much more radical, even if they’re rhetorically similar.

Milwaukee Public Schools, amid a fiscal crisis, should close 25 underutilized school buildings to free up wasted resources, says City Forward Collective.

Students learn less and earn less when they have less incentive to actually study in order to get top grades.

Subjecting big development proposals to popular vote risks killing statewide economic growth, observers say in the wake of a successful effort by Port Washington data center opponents to give citizens the ability to nix the future use of a key financing tool.

There is new evidence that some students hurt themselves economically by going to college — a fact Republicans are using to limit student loans.

Gov. Evers has signed a crucial housing bill pushed by Republicans who say it will increase supply and bring down cost while still allowing municipalities to control whether they want to grow.

Momentum is growing to end vehicle emissions testing programs in several states, including Wisconsin.

The University of Wisconsin System this month opened the door for its campuses to begin offering faster, cheaper three-year degrees.

The most recent Marquette Law School poll shows public opinion turning against data centers.

All 13 four-year University of Wisconsin System schools impose an ethnic studies requirement in order to graduate.

A bill that will ultimately help increase housing supply, make homes more affordable and still allow local municipalities to control where and how fast they grow passed through the Wisconsin Senate this week and was expected to pass in the Assembly Thursday as well.

You might be paying higher school property taxes this year because of a referendum to exceed a school district’s revenue cap — one that you did not get a vote on in a district your kids do not attend.

Until last week, it appeared that legislators from both political parties were on a path to restoring WisconsinEye, an independent channel that has broadcast state government meetings and events since 2007.

Very few people know it, but Wisconsin’s Medicaid program is in the housing business.

Not construction or real estate, but assistance in finding a home for any Medicaid recipient with a qualifying health or mental health issue and a qualifying risk of homelessness.

Republican lawmakers managed to pass a conservative-coded policy in a purple state with a Democratic governor. It’s all well and good to point to Florida or Texas and wish that every state could do likewise. Unfortunately, not every state capitol boasts a conservative governor ready to pick controversial fights backed up by a large Republican majority. Wisconsin demonstrates that even purple states can win meaningful, albeit limited, conservative victories.

Some lawmakers in Madison, however, led by members of the Assembly’s Socialist Caucus,  want to implement an estate tax with a top rate of 20 percent. Currently in draft form before being introduced, their legislation would propel Wisconsin to a tie with Hawaii for the second-highest state rate in the nation.