Wisconsin Policy Forum

"A report from the Wisconsin Policy Forum found development and housing construction in Jefferson County, as in many other communities, has lagged behind demand since the Great Recession."

Our research is cited in this report from The Capital Times about the City of Whitewater's strategy to build more single-family housing (see link in comments).

Our research found that if Jefferson County were to see a potential uptick in development, it would likely bolster revenues for local governments and schools. These entities also would see increased demand -- and costs – to provide services, though some could be accommodated within their current capacities.

This report began through a request from Jefferson County officials to analyze how development affects the finances of its local communities and schools. However, similar conditions apply to many other Wisconsin communities, and this report is meant to inform the work of officials across the state.

The Milwaukee Public Schools "approved budget includes additional staff and salary increases that (require) ongoing costs... Yet some major sources of revenue for the district will eventually disappear, 'putting at risk the very teaching positions that MPS now seeks to create.'"

"In its analysis, the Wisconsin Policy Forum said the budget resolves the district's current deficit, but "2028 promises to be the start of even more difficult years.'"

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel quotes Forum research and our own Sara Shaw in its coverage of Thursday's school board vote on the district's 2027 budget (see link in comments). Our recently released MPS budget brief found the district’s five-year forecast projects a structural deficit for its main fund emerging as soon as 2028. Left unchecked, spending is projected to outpace revenues by $63.7 million by 2029.

Our latest research finds that businesses with fewer than 500 employees accounted for most of Wisconsin’s net job growth since 2010. The number of small businesses in the state expanded rapidly in the post-pandemic period, far outpacing their growth in the prior decade.

We find that small businesses play a vital role in local economies by driving job creation, fostering innovation and entrepreneurship, and contributing to local philanthropy and community identity. Wisconsin relies more on small businesses to create jobs than does the nation as a whole, even as its rate of small business employment growth has lagged the national rate since 2010.

Scaling very small businesses into larger, more sustainable enterprises remains a key challenge in our state, according to our new report, which was commissioned by commissioned by the Universities of Wisconsin Office of Business & Entrepreneurship, with financial support from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation. The number of micro-businesses (fewer than 10 employees) has grown rapidly, but the number of establishments with 10+ employees has increased much more slowly.

The retail trade sector has long had the largest number of small business establishments in Wisconsin. While this remained the case in 2024, retail and wholesale trade have seen the largest declines in establishments, likely a consequence of the ongoing shift to e-commerce. Recent years have seen strong growth in the number of health care and social assistance small businesses. This sector also has contributed heavily in terms of job creation.

Madison and Milwaukee serve as Wisconsin’s primary engines of small business formation and employment. Looking at the number of small establishments per capita, Eau Claire, Madison, and Sheboygan lead the way.

Our findings suggest several priorities for policymakers, economic development entities, and business support organizations. Click the link in the comments below to read about them.

Milwaukee Public Schools has proposed a 2027 budget that would tackle some immediate challenges and balance its books for now. But it would still leave the district facing an ominous long-term outlook, our annual review of district finances finds.

Following a series of position cuts necessitated by discovery of a negative $45.6 million balance in the district’s main fund, Supt. Brenda Cassellius has proposed a 2027 budget that balances spending and revenues, while boosting teacher salaries and adding teachers and aides.

However, the district’s 5-year forecast projects a structural deficit for its main fund emerging as soon as 2028. Left unchecked, spending is projected to outpace revenues by $63.7 million by 2029, budget documents show. Click the link in the comments to read our report.

🚨🚨HELP US recognize the best of Wisconsin's public sector!

We're now accepting nominations for our 34th annual Salute to Local Government awards. Nominees may be local or state government agencies, school districts, or their employees -- anywhere in Wisconsin.

Salute to Local Government award categories recognize outstanding performance by local governments and school districts for innovative problem-solving, intergovernmental cooperation, advancing equity, or private-public cooperation.

In partnership with the La Follette School of Public Affairs: UW-Madison, we recognize innovative performance in state government. We also recognize public sector workers for individual excellence and as a leader of the future.

HELP US honor outstanding public servants in every corner of Wisconsin by offering your Salute nominations -- and encouraging others to make submissions. Click the link in the comments to learn more!

"It was a trade off between giving people relief and school districts relief right now, and the state having more safety in the future."

Our president Jason Stein spoke to WKOW 27's Ryan Lynch about the failed bipartisan state budget deal that state lawmakers voted down last week. He spoke about what that outcome means for taxpayers and for state finances.

"I think the simplest way to put it is, it would have put the next budget into a tougher position, a genuinely tougher position."

Our president Jason Stein spoke to Wisconsin Public Radio about how a failed bipartisan state budget deal would've affected state finances, had it been enacted. (Story link in comments).

Pew Trusts cites Forum research -- and quotes our Immediate Past President Rob Henken -- in this look at how Milwaukee and other cities are adapting to the rise of remote work and other post-pandemic realities. (See link in comments).

Join us Friday, June 26, for the latest installment of our virtual event series, Forum Friday! This discussion will focus on our state’s child care system and possible solutions to its strained economic model for providers and families.

The conversation will include discussion of our recent research, which looks at ways that state and local governments could infuse more revenue into our child care system. Our panelists will speak to these and other possible solutions.

Our panelists will include: state Rep. David Armstrong, R-Rice Lake; Sadie Howell, President/CEO, Envision Greater Fond du Lac; Lisa Jensen, Roots & Branches Director, Frederic School District; and Jeff Pertl, Secretary, Wisconsin Department of Children and Families.

As always, we’ll conclude with a Q&A session for registered participants. Registration is free, but required for this event. Join us!

Cigarette smoking continues to decline nationally and in Wisconsin, while va**ng is on the rise.

One consequence of this sweeping shift: Wisconsin’s heavy reliance on cigarette tax revenue is waning.

And Wisconsinites increasingly are consuming to***co and ni****ne products that are much less heavily taxed, our latest research finds (Report link in comments.)