Slashing Safety Net Will Weaken Workforce
Healthy workers make better employees.
Feb 13th, 2022
TANF Program Serves a Fraction of Poor Families
Replacement for AFDC has cut number of state families served by 80%.
Aug 30th, 2021
BadgerCare Expansion Too Good to Go Away
Benefits are so massive and popular the ideological opposition will melt away.
May 9th, 2021
State Faces April 16 Deadline for Medicaid Money
Legislature must amend lame duck law or lose hundreds of millions in federal funds.
Apr 7th, 2020
Why Foxconn Contract Is In Dispute
Both sides may have reason to renegotiate contract.
Dec 24th, 2019
Lame Duck Mistake Reopens Tax Debate
Republicans' mistake gives Evers some say over how to apportion tax cuts from online sales tax revenue.
Jun 12th, 2019
How to Improve the Foxconn Contract
Changes could benefit both the state and company.
May 7th, 2019
Health Care Ruling Exposes Republicans
Court ruling they sought ends six Obamacare provisions supported by big majorities, polls show.
Jan 1st, 2019
States Approve Progressive Ballot Measures
Increasing minimum wage, expanding Medicaid, legalizing marijuana and more.
Nov 20th, 2018
Obamacare Critics Offer Weak Alternatives
Bill supported by Gov. Walker won’t effectively cover pre-existing conditions.
Sep 28th, 2018
Walker Rewards Kimberly-Clark For Layoffs?
Proposed state deal gives company subsidy if no more than 7 percent of workers eliminated.
Aug 2nd, 2018
Online Sales Tax Will Benefit Wealthy
Walker will use money for income tax cut, delivering much of benefit to wealthiest.
Jul 12th, 2018
Census Undercount Could Cut State Medicaid Dollars
And state officials are doing little to address the problem.
May 13th, 2018
Farm Bill Will Leave Millions of Kids Hungry
Analysis of federal bill show 11% of state food stamp recipients, including 23,369 kids, lose eligibility.
May 4th, 2018
State Rainy Day Fund Trails 35 States
Would last six days. Ranks 37% below national average.
Mar 19th, 2018
The Lesson of Kimberly-Clark Layoffs
State gave huge tax giveaways to manufacturer, but company still laid off workers.
Feb 12th, 2018
Federal Tax Plan’s Impact on State
Half of tax cuts will go to the top 5 percent, many lose health care.
Dec 22nd, 2017
Revised Senate Plan Hikes Taxes for Many
Lowest earning three-fifths of state taxpayers would pay about $365 million more.
Nov 22nd, 2017
House Tax Plan Punishes Working Families
They lose child tax credit for 23 million children, including 159,000 in Wisconsin.
Nov 15th, 2017
10 Surprises in Revised GOP Tax Plan
Some are head scratchers. Many have gotten little attention.
Nov 9th, 2017
GOP Tax Plan Still a Boon for Wealthy
Changes by House Republicans still leave about 80% of cuts helping wealthy taxpayers.
Nov 6th, 2017
Good, Bad News on Medicaid Costs
State personal income growth trails nation, but that means more federal funds for Medicaid.
Oct 5th, 2017
State Would Lose $29 Billion Under New Health Care Bill
And the plan could result in 32 million more Americans without health insurance.
Sep 24th, 2017
Bill Hikes Taxes on Low-Income People
Estimated 11,400 households will get tax hikes averaging $614.
Sep 15th, 2017
State’s Uninsured Dropped 42% Under ACA
Neighboring states saw even bigger drops under Obamacare since 2013.
Sep 13th, 2017
Ryan Creates Disincentives To Work
Paul Ryan criticizes such disincentives but his policies worsen the problem.
Sep 1st, 2017
Foxconn Could Take Till 2058 To Pay Off
Taxpayers could lose big, depending on number of jobs created, how long company in business.
Aug 18th, 2017
The High Cost of Foxconn
Each job created could cost the state anywhere from $17,273 to $54,159 per year.
Aug 4th, 2017
Obamacare “Fixes” Will Shortchange Wisconsin
Latest GOP approach is bad news for this state and others.
Jul 25th, 2017
Trump Tax Cut Massive Gift to Wealthy
Top 1% in Wisconsin would get more than half the tax cut.
Jul 21st, 2017
The Problem of Pre-Existing Conditions
Assembly bill addresses issue. But how much coverage does it provide?
Jun 27th, 2017
Trump Budget’s Massive Medicaid Cut
At risk are 1.2 million Wisconsinites.
May 25th, 2017
Federal Medicaid Critical to Schools
State schools got $107 million in 2015, helped pay for school nurses.
Apr 25th, 2017
Medicaid Expansion Could Save $380 Million
Total savings to taxpayers lost by June 2019: $1.07 billion.
Apr 11th, 2017
GOP Health Care Plan Has No Price Tag
House committees will vote without estimated cost or how many will lose coverage.
Mar 8th, 2017
The Limits of Badger Care
Someone earning more than $7.81 hour is ineligible. Many more will lose coverage if Obamacare ended.
Feb 4th, 2017
State Budget Outlook Improves
Revenue higher, spending lower than prior projections but debt is deferred.
Jan 30th, 2017
More Bad News on State Budget
Due to lagging tax collections, meager state and UW reserves, sluggish economy.
Jan 18th, 2017
State Revenue Well Below Projections
Quietly released report shows anemic tax collections, points to budget problems.
Dec 29th, 2016
Obamacare Repeal Would Slash Kids’ Coverage
Number of uninsured children in Wisconsin would rise from 49,000 to 96,000.
Dec 23rd, 2016
Will Trump Kill Federal Overtime Rule?
Labor Department rule, stalled by judge, would raise pay for 187,000 Wisconsin workers.
Dec 8th, 2016
Revenue Shortfall Creates Tough Budget
State faces $693 million shortfall, with tax collections $350 million below projections.
Nov 25th, 2016
Voters Support Increase in Minimum Wage
Will Trump support workers with hike in federal minimum?
Nov 17th, 2016
State Budget Well Short of Projections
2015-16 budget balance falls short, and tax growth this fiscal year puts biennial budget further behind.
Oct 24th, 2016
Obamacare Slashes Uncompensated Care by 47%
Wisconsin Hospital Association’s data shows far less unpaid health care costs shifted to other systems, payers.
Oct 7th, 2016
Strong Income Gains in 2015, But…
Poverty remains well above pre-recession level, and extreme disparities continue.
Sep 21st, 2016
Uninsured Rate Declines Sharply
But there are still 323,000 uninsured Wisconsinites.
Sep 20th, 2016
State Tax Collections Come Up Short
New data shows shortfall that could cause problems if slower revenue growth continues.
Sep 9th, 2016
Uneven Progress for Wisconsin Workers
Slow job growth, wage stagnation and one in four workers earn poverty wages.
Sep 6th, 2016
Big Benefits From Medicaid Expansion
Studies of 31 states extending Obamacare show better health and budget savings.
Aug 25th, 2016
Welfare Funding Dropped 75% Since 1991
26% of families below poverty line get assistance; was 96% in 1991.
Aug 22nd, 2016
Anti-Poverty Programs Are a Success
Percent of people in poverty dropped from 26% to 16% since 1967, with big impact in Wisconsin.
Aug 8th, 2016
Lower Medicaid Spending Is Good, Bad News
Means lower than expected costs, but also shows state below others in enrolling eligible kids.
Jul 6th, 2016
Ryan’s Health Plan Could Hurt Working Families
Would make insurance coverage far more costly for low-income Wisconsin residents.
Jul 1st, 2016
State Revenue Declines in May
Numbers make it more likely there will be shortfall in projected budget for fiscal year.
Jun 21st, 2016
State Health Care Evaluation Falls Short
Federal waiver allowed Wisconsin to experiment but evaluation of program won’t answer key questions.
Jun 15th, 2016
Wisconsin Near Bottom in Public Health Spending
Wisconsin ranks 48th lowest, far below average spending per capita by states.
Jun 10th, 2016
$1 Billion Savings In Six Years
If expanded federal Medicaid money accepted. But some legislators dispute LFB analysis.
Jun 2nd, 2016
State A Leader in Higher Education Cuts
Wisconsin cut higher education by more than all but one state in America.
May 31st, 2016
Federal Aid Targets Native American Health Gap
Medicaid changes could help address disparities in Wisconsin. Will Walker accept the aid?
May 19th, 2016
Bipartisan Way to Reduce Inequality
Increased Earned Income Tax Credit is simple measure that most state residents would favor.
Apr 22nd, 2016
State Facing Drop In Budget Revenue?
Numbers trail estimates but hard to track since Walker administration doesn’t release monthly statistics.
Apr 5th, 2016
What Makes State a Unique Primary
Big turnout and strong manufacturing economy among many factors that make it unique challenge for candidates.
Mar 31st, 2016
Six Achievements of Obamacare
Including a 43% drop in uninsured non-elderly adults and 76 million more getting preventive care.
Mar 24th, 2016
State Lags in Reporting Medicaid Data
Wisconsin reports less data on quality of pediatric health care than nearly any state.
Mar 21st, 2016
Benefits for Poor Don’t Discourage Work
Bill to address "benefits cliff" is based on mostly exaggerated examples.
Mar 10th, 2016
GOP Bill Hurts Elderly, Blind, Disabled
Proposed restrictions in Food Share benefits fall hardest on these vulnerable groups.
Mar 7th, 2016
State Infrastructure Spending Plummets
Has declined 31% since 2002, 7th worse drop in the nation.
Feb 25th, 2016
Obamacare Could Get Sweeter for Wisconsin
Under president's budget, expanded Medicaid would give Wisconsin $1.1 billion or $137 per person.
Feb 11th, 2016
Problems With Pothole Repair Act
Sales tax falls heavier on low-income transit users, but bars any spending on transit.
Jan 20th, 2016
New Medicaid Savings Could Benefit Taxpayers
Two factors will reduce state Medicaid costs and give legislators room to improve system.
Jan 4th, 2016
Wisconsin Lags Behind on Minimum Wage
29 states, including those with GOP majorities, have increased minimum beyond $7.25 federal standard.
Dec 30th, 2015
State’s Deficit Jumped by 28% in 2015
Bad news released quietly. But does it justify proposed constitutional change?
Dec 28th, 2015
Which Companies Get Most State Subsidies?
New data base tracks all info; Top three are Brunswick/Global Marine, Kohl's and NM.
Dec 23rd, 2015
Medicaid Expansion Would Save State $1 Billion
And cover 83,000 more people, nonpartisan report concludes. Walker still rejects federal funding.
Dec 16th, 2015
State Corporate Tax Credit is Soaring
Rising to $279 million, more than double projections. No new jobs required to get credit.
Dec 10th, 2015
Photo ID for Food Stamps Will Fail
By law, merchants can't check cards and new system costly for taxpayers.
Nov 27th, 2015
Constitutional Change Would Limit State Budget
Proposed amendment barring budgets that violate GAAP principles would tie legislators hands.
Nov 18th, 2015
How Conservative States Use Expanded Medicaid
Montana, Arizona, Alaska and others saved on taxes by accepting federal dollars.
Nov 12th, 2015
Benefits for Working Poor Decline in Value
Legislators adjust campaign donation limits for inflation but not Homestead Credit and W-2 benefits.
Oct 21st, 2015
Small Businesses Criticize States’ Economic Policies
Policies favor big business and big incentive deals and hurt state finances, they contend.
Oct 5th, 2015
Wisconsin Still Has High Poverty
150,000 more poor people than in 2007; one in six children live in poverty.
Sep 30th, 2015
Government Policies Tough on Working Poor
Many work for fast food chains and are hurt by Badger Care changes.
Sep 2nd, 2015
Wisconsin Women Earn 81% Of What Men Do
The gap has fallen from 59 cents for every dollar earned by men to 81 cents. Why does the gap persist?
Aug 31st, 2015
State Sees 50% Drop in Uninsured Adults
Since Obamacare, percent of Wisconsinites lacking health coverage dropped from 11.7% to 5.6%.
Aug 20th, 2015
No, It’s Not Cheaper to Keep Them
Subsidy for Bucks' arena won't save money for taxpayers, as Republican Rep. Dean Knudsen has pointed out.
Jul 7th, 2015
