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Monday 8:30am - 5pm Tuesday 8:30am - 5pm Wednesday 8:30am - 5pm Thursday 8:30am - 5pm Friday 8:30am - 5pm

Wisconsin Policy Forum

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Wisconsin Policy Forum

The Wisconsin Policy Forum is a nonpartisan, statewide public policy research organization.

09/03/2026

"Wisconsin is #2 in the US in what researchers call net “brain drain"...

"More college-educated Wisconsin-born residents are leaving the state than the state is recruiting."

Thanks to Newsradio 620 WTMJ for the recent conversation about Forum research.

Check the comments for a link to that, and to our report. It examines where college-educated Wisconsinites are moving -- as well as which states are sending more college grads to Wisconsin.

09/02/2026

"Wisconsin’s projected surplus could reach $3 billion after tax collections came in higher than expected...

"Tyler Byrnes, a senior research associate at the Wisconsin Policy Forum, said rapid wage growth and inflation are contributing to higher revenue."

News 3 Now / Channel 3000 spoke to the Forum (link in comments) about the latest news on state tax collections -- and what they mean for the state's fiscal outlook.

08/26/2026

"Severe weather has been on the rise in Wisconsin... These conditions... have brought up a need for local systems to look toward their own resources to prepare for what may come next."

"According to a new Wisconsin Policy Forum report, opportunities include strengthening coordination among government agencies and with community organizations, and increasing public engagement in preparedness activities."

The Daily News covers our latest research (link in comments). It also found that state government could play a larger role by gathering information on individuals’ assessments of their own hazard risks and preparedness. Another option could be providing additional relief aid and assistance in response to emergencies.

08/25/2026

"The nonpartisan Wisconsin Policy Forum released a report on homelessness in the state.

"The results showed the number of people experiencing homelessness rose 4.8% in 2026 to nearly 5,500 people, according to the report."

Check out this WBAY TV-2 coverage of our latest research (link in comments). As it also notes, "the report states Wisconsin’s homeless population in 2025 was 13.4% lower than the 6,057 individuals reported in 2015, while the national count increased 32.0% over the same period."

08/19/2026

"About 60% of Wisconsin-born adults who now live in another state have a bachelor’s degree, compared to 45% of people who now live in Wisconsin but who were born elsewhere."

WORT FM News covers our research on Wisconsin's brain drain challenge -- and what might be done about it.

Our research (link in comments) finds that Wisconsin's net brain drain rate is among the worst in the nation. Our report looks at what some other states have done to address this problem.

08/18/2026

Our popular Policy in a Pub event is coming to Madison on Sept. 16!

In partnership with the La Follette School of Public Affairs: UW-Madison, we're excited to present: "The Data Center Challenge: Weighing Community Concerns with Growth Opportunities."

This event will begin with a brief overview of the Forum's research on data centers.

Then we’ll hear insights from our panelists: Maggie Brickerman, president, Wisconsin Technology Council; Jason Delborne, associate professor, La Follette School of Public Affairs: UW-Madison; State Senator Jodi Habush Sinykin; and Representative Shae Sortwell.

This event will be held from 5-7 p.m. on Sept. 16 at the Pyle Center at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

As always, we’ll leave plenty of time for Q&A from our audience. In addition to the policy discussion, appetizers and a cash bar will be available.

Registration is free, but required for this event. Sign up today at the link in the comments!

08/14/2026

Our latest research (link in comments) finds Wisconsin's reported homeless population increased 4.8% in 2026 to nearly 5,500 individuals.

At the same time, Wisconsin is trending more positively than the nation over the last decades in addressing homelessness -- and it reported lower rates of homelessness than its regional peers.

Between 2015 and 2025, the total number of people experiencing homelessness nationwide increased by 32%. Meanwhile, Wisconsin’s homeless population declined by 13.4% during this period.

Milwaukee County reported 30.9% fewer homeless individuals (978) in 2026 than in 2016. Milwaukee County has reported more favorable homelessness statistics than comparable areas in the Midwest, such as Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Detroit, Indianapolis, and Minneapolis.

In contrast, Dane County’s homeless population has trended upward, with 880 individuals reported in 2026, up 39.9% from 2016. Among Wisconsin's four regions for homelessness data (Dane, Milwaukee, Racine, and the rest of the state), Dane County had the highest homelessness rate.

Homelessness is rising nationally, and federal policy and funding priorities have undergone a recent shift. State leaders may consider how to replicate the past decade's successes while positioning Wisconsin to stay ahead of troubling national trends.

08/13/2026

For the first time in nearly four decades, the Forum has relocated its Milwaukee office.

Yesterday, several of our Milwaukee staffers celebrated with a lunch at Zócalo Food Park near our new location in the Walker's Point neighborhood!

08/12/2026

"A new report from the Wisconsin Policy Forum finds that Wisconsin has the second biggest net loss of young, educated workers in the country, surpassed only by North Dakota."

Wisconsin Public Radio covers our latest research (link in comments), which gives an update on a longstanding challenge in Wisconsin: brain drain.

While Wisconsin has a bigger brain drain challenge than most states, our report also looked at some mitigating factors, including the fact that Wisconsin outperforms the nation on rates of college completion.

“We start in a stronger position, and so even though we’re losing some of those adults, we end up looking pretty average on educational attainment," Forum Research Director Joe Peterangelo said.

Ultimately, the net loss of educated residents is a longstanding policy challenge for our state. Finding new ways to address it will be critical for our long-term economic growth. Our report also examines some approaches tried in other states.

08/11/2026

"Thousands of homeowners and businesses across the region suffered damage in last year's August flood and so did local governments. While homeowners received federal assistance, not a single dollar went to local governments across Wisconsin.

"In October, FEMA denied funding for all public infrastructure statewide.

"A Wisconsin Policy Forum study shows the state's estimated damage costs met the threshold to receive federal funding."

Check out this coverage of our recent research via TMJ4 News (link in comments).

State funds covered some local government costs. Still, our research found that recovering from future disasters without federal resources may be difficult.

Address

Milwaukee, WI
53203

Opening Hours

Monday	8:30am - 5pm
Tuesday	8:30am - 5pm
Wednesday	8:30am - 5pm
Thursday	8:30am - 5pm
Friday	8:30am - 5pm

Website

http://wispolicyforum.org/

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