Browsing: State Budget

As Wisconsin’s debt load continues to grow, the tax burden for Wisconsin families and businesses will grow right along with it

The future impact in Wisconsin

In state capitols across the country governors and legislatures have been forced to put all of their energy into solving enormous fiscal shortfalls. Given their dependence on income tax and sales tax revenues, the 2001 recession hit state governments particularly hard. In 2003, no fewer than 39 states, including Wisconsin, experienced budget gaps. During the

In 2002, state and local government spending in Wisconsin was 7.7% above the national average while our income level was 2.8% below the national average

A critical examination

Wisconsin state government is facing the most significant financial challenge in its history. The state budget is out of balance by $3.2 billion. The irony here is that the crisis comes close on the heels of the 1990s, when state government seemed able to do anything. That was the era of elevated spending, new programs,

The answer for Milwaukee governance

No issue in Wisconsin government has grown faster in the last decade than special education. It has accelerated to a $1 billion per year educational program with little accountability

An examination of potential cost savings

The University of Wisconsin-Madison, the state’s flagship campus, is increasingly important to the future of Wisconsin. In a new century in which the economy is becoming ever more reliant on knowledge, the state’s lead university must be able to step up and better serve its constituency

An examination of the implementation of competitive contracting and privatization by Wisconsin’s government

Budgets are tight. Problems are tough. State and local governments have increased responsibilities, with­ out more money. Problems cut across…

Dale Belman, Ph.D. & John Heywood, Ph.D. The setting of public sector compensation should command the attention of all citizens. The level of such compensation helps determine both the competence and efficiency of government services. Too high a level wastes the resources of state and local governments, depriving them of the opportunity to address other

By Roger Parks, Ph.D., Ronald Oakerson, Ph.D. Throughout the 1980s and into 1990, Wisconsin has labored over the twin issues of property tax relief and the control of state/local spending. The two concerns are interrelated, but differently focused. Effective property tax relief requires local tax restraint; otherwise tax dollars spent for relief may instead finance increases in