Ending State Income Tax Helps the 1%
Proposal would give the wealthy a tax cut 60 times higher than for middle income folks.
May 5th, 2022
Proposal Cuts Taxes for 1%
State’s top business lobbying group wants to transform Wisconsin’s tax structure.
Dec 27th, 2021
Charting The Racial Disparities In State’s Prisons
Four charts show Wisconsin is worse than nearly every state.
Nov 28th, 2021
State’s $1 Billion Tax Cut Leaves Out 49% of Taxpayers
Not a dollar for half of all taxpayers, thousands in tax cuts for the most wealthy.
Sep 21st, 2021
Evers Targets Tax Cuts at Lower Incomes
Governor’s budget reduces tax advantage for wealthier people.
Apr 7th, 2021
State Families May Lose $31 Million in Tax Refunds
Legislature needs to tweak tax code to get full benefit of federal COVID-19 package.
Feb 8th, 2021
GOP Pandemic Proposal Is a Power Grab
Republican legislators would take power from schools, local governments and governor.
Dec 15th, 2020
State’s Tax Loopholes a Boon to Wealthy
Helps many dodge taxes, contributes to wealth gap.
Oct 7th, 2020
Why State Economy Needs Federal Aid
Without second round of pandemic aid there will be more jobs and health insurance lost, more services cut.
Jul 16th, 2020
32 Cities Devote Most Spending to Police
One-third of state’s largest cities, including Milwaukee, spend more on police than any other function.
Jul 7th, 2020
Should Undocumented Immigrants Get State Relief?
They help build state’s Unemployment Insurance trust, but are ineligible for benefits.
May 20th, 2020
Legislature Hasn’t Restored Aid to Schools
Huge decline in aid in last decade helped fund tax breaks for wealthy, still hasn’t been made up.
Feb 1st, 2020
22 States Hiked Minimum Wage This Year
But not Wisconsin, where it's $7.25 versus $12-$14 in many states. What’s the impact?
Jan 6th, 2020
4 Immigration Policies to Boost Economy
State policy changes would help immigrants earn higher wages, buy more products, pay more taxes.
Aug 28th, 2019
New Tax Credit Skewed to Help Whites
Budget gives credit to homeowners, and 72% of state’s whites, 27% of blacks own homes.
Jun 28th, 2019
Impact of Earned Income Tax Credit
Proposed hike would benefit working poor in all 72 counties with $7.5 million for Milwaukee County.
Jun 7th, 2019
State Overtime Rule Could Help Workers
State could assure 120,000 employees left behind by federal rule get paid overtime.
Apr 12th, 2019
Unequal Pay for State’s Women Persists
Depending on their race, women earn anywhere from 55% to 78% of what white men earn.
Apr 2nd, 2019
Let’s Curb Manufacturing Tax Credit
It hasn’t created jobs and mostly helps millionaires. Evers plan would trim and target it.
Feb 15th, 2019
Corporate Handouts Cut State Revenue
Which could make it difficult to fund more spending on schools, UW System and roads.
Feb 7th, 2019
Growing Wealth Gap Hurts Wage Earners
Kimberly-Clark subsidy helps wealthy stockholders with no gain for workers.
Jan 20th, 2019
Impact of Drivers Licenses for Immigrants
In a tight labor market 22,000 undocumented immigrants who are workers could get a drivers license.
Jan 15th, 2019
19 States Just Raised the Minimum Wage
But not Wisconsin where minimum is $7.25, versus $10 to $12 in many states.
Jan 4th, 2019
One More Tax Cut For The Wealthy
Legislature's lame duck session passed $60 million income tax cut, mostly benefits top 20%.
Dec 7th, 2018
Rich Pay the Least in State Taxes
Poor and middle class pay much higher percentage of their income in taxes.
Nov 26th, 2018
6 Reasons to End Manufacturing Credit
For starters, most of it goes to millionaires.
Oct 12th, 2018
Minorities Earn Far Less Than Whites
State’s average Hispanic woman earns nearly $1 million less lifetime pay than average white man.
Oct 1st, 2018
Voters Choose Education Over Tax Cuts
By overwhelming margins, voters in all areas of state feel schools have gotten worse, need more money.
Sep 12th, 2018
Poll Shows Support for Public Education
Citizens value schools over tax cuts but Republicans have done just the opposite.
Jul 10th, 2018
State Tax System Increases Inequality
Top 1% got tax cut of $10,015, bottom 20% got just $175.
Apr 19th, 2018
Voters Okay 56 of 66 School Referendums
$566 million in spending approved on April ballot, mostly for new construction.
Apr 11th, 2018
The Black-White Unemployment Gap
Black workers in state 3.5 times more likely to be unemployed.
Mar 29th, 2018
How Immigrants Help Wisconsin
They are 6% of all workers, 11% of computer and 20% of dairy industry jobs.
Mar 17th, 2018
Senate Opposes Sales Tax Holiday
Weekend tax holiday backed by Walker, Assembly would cut state revenue by $52 million, local revenues by $4 million.
Mar 14th, 2018
The Decline of Child Care
Number of families covered by state funding declined 28%.
Feb 28th, 2018
Trump Budget Slashes Safety Net
$1.4 trillion in cuts to health care, housing nearly equals $1.5 trillion in recent tax cuts.
Feb 16th, 2018
State’s Rainy Day Fund Is Tiny
No contributions to it since 2013, only enough to fund six days of operations.
Feb 14th, 2018
Number of Public Employees Declining
Wisconsin now ranks behind 36 states in number of public employees per capita.
Feb 9th, 2018
$1.6 Billion of Foxconn Payout Won’t Create Jobs
And another $1.4 billion somewhat related to job creation.
Jan 31st, 2018
5 Ways to Help Workers
Walker says he wants to remove barriers to work. Here’s how to do it.
Jan 29th, 2018
18 States Raise Minimum Wage
As do 20 cities and counties. But not Wisconsin, What’s the impact?
Jan 4th, 2018
Dream Act Immigrants Would Boost Economy
State would grow by $600 million per year. Without it many farms would fail.
Dec 21st, 2017
Tax Plan Will Increase Black Student Debt
Blacks now have twice the college debt of whites; GOP tax plan would widen the gap.
Dec 13th, 2017
Tax Plan Will Widen Racial Wealth Gap
Federal estate tax rollback mostly benefits whites, leaving blacks, Latinos further behind.
Dec 6th, 2017
Which Federal Tax Plan Is Better?
Majority of taxpayers lose under both plans, but in different ways.
Nov 28th, 2017
300,000 State Residents Would See Tax Hike
U.S. Senate tax plan gives huge gains to wealthy, hikes taxes on 1 in 11 people.
Nov 14th, 2017
Trump-GOP Tax Plan in Five Charts
Provisions will have huge impact on Wisconsin taxpayers.
Nov 10th, 2017
State’s Prison Costs Still Growing
Wisconsin has highest incarceration rate in Midwest, prison costs 12% higher than national average.
Nov 1st, 2017
Rural Counties Face Decline in Children
20% to 28% decline in kids projected for some northern and central counties.
Oct 20th, 2017
Taxes Down, But No Impact on Jobs
State has dropped its ranking for taxes and fees, yet trails other states in new jobs.
Oct 19th, 2017
Who Benefits from Trump Tax Cuts?
In Wisconsin the top 1% will get 61% of the tax cut.
Oct 10th, 2017
GOP Plan Divides Racine Schools by Race
Wealthier, whiter areas of Racine could create separate school districts.
Oct 6th, 2017
6 Trends Hurting State’s Workers
State’s shrinking middle class can’t be reversed unless these trends change.
Sep 5th, 2017
Proposal Limits Schools’ Energy Efficiency
186 districts have funded money-saving projects since 2009; legislation would restrict this.
Aug 16th, 2017
State’s Wealth Gap Keeps Growing
Since 1970s income of top 1% rose 130%, other 99% grew by just 9%.
Aug 11th, 2017
Economic Recovery Lags for Minorities
Blacks, Latinos have higher poverty, unemployment, huge wealth gap.
Jul 28th, 2017
Voters Favor Education, Health Care Spending
Polls show they’re willing to be taxed more to spend more on these priorities.
Jun 30th, 2017
Most Walker Tax Cuts Benefit Wealthy
More than $10,000 for members of top 1%, just $175 for poorest 20% in state.
Jun 28th, 2017
Trump Budget Will Hurt State Workers
Yet his campaign promised new opportunities for workers.
Jun 20th, 2017
Bill Hikes Gas Tax by 24%
But proposal hides this by reducing gas tax and adding sales tax on gas.
May 13th, 2017
Flat Tax Bill Has Massive Impact
Almost half of entire tax cut goes to top 4%; poor get tax increase.
May 12th, 2017
Few Jobs From Huge Tax Break
State manufacturers get $457 million tax, yet trail nation badly in new jobs.
May 5th, 2017
Robbing General Fund for Roads?
Gas tax lagging; legislators may raid education, health care funding.
Apr 28th, 2017
More Public School Funds for Vouchers
Walker gives voucher schools $283 million more, takes $93 million from public schools.
Apr 26th, 2017
Sales Tax Holiday Bad for Budget
Walker wants it, some GOP legislators condemn it. Why?
Apr 21st, 2017
Expand Earned Income Tax Credit?
Walker favors it. Would help low-income working families.
Apr 20th, 2017
State Taxes Lowest for Wealthiest
Top 1% of state pay 6.2% of income, middle-class pays 10%.
Apr 18th, 2017
Referendum Bill Bad for Rural Districts
GOP proposal restricts referendums, which have been on the rise.
Apr 13th, 2017
5 Ways Trump’s Budget Hurts State
Huge losses for schools, heating assistance, environment, state budget.
Mar 31st, 2017
80% Want More State K-12 Funding
New poll also finds 75% of state residents are happy with their local schools.
Mar 25th, 2017
Radical Plan To Scrap U.S. Constitution
State legislators support constitutional convention, banning all deficit financing.
Mar 9th, 2017
Will UW System Changes Hurt Minorities?
Walker’s performance metrics may mean UWM serves fewer poor students.
Mar 4th, 2017
Budget Boost Helps Wealthiest Schools
New funding in Walker budget targets school districts least in need.
Feb 9th, 2017
Tax Break for Wealthy Keeps Growing
11 claimants will get $22 million tax break under Manufacturing and Agriculture Credit.
Feb 3rd, 2017
State Has Fewer Public Employees
Number per capita below national average and declined under Gov. Doyle.
Jan 27th, 2017
Alternative State Budget Proposed
"Wisconsin Budget For All” cuts tax breaks for rich, invests in jobs, schools, health.
Jan 21st, 2017
New Report Finds Teacher Shortages
More than half of school districts face “extreme shortages” of math, science teachers.
Jan 13th, 2017
Federal Cuts Could Hurt State Programs
Federal dollars account for 29% of state budget.
Jan 6th, 2017
Most States Hike Minimum Wage
Wisconsin is among 24 states that have kept it at $7.25 an hour.
Jan 5th, 2017
Will Schools, Health Care Pay for Roads?
Republicans argue over how to fund highways, could raid other funding.
Dec 11th, 2016
55 School Funding Referendums Approved
Across the state local voters support record level of new resources for schools.
Nov 12th, 2016
School Referendums Exploding
Dozens on November ballot statewide, totaling $1.34 billion, many times higher than any previous election.
Nov 3rd, 2016
Northern Wisconsin’s Decline in Children
In last five years, number of children dropped 3.2% statewide, but more than 10% in many northern counties.
Oct 23rd, 2016
SNAP Works for Wisconsin’s Children
Modern version of food stamps is powerfully effective anti-poverty tool, report finds.
Oct 14th, 2016
Ryan Plan Slashes Taxes for Millionaires
House GOP’s 10-year plan cuts taxes for rich by $2.6 trillion while slashing programs for poor, middle class.
Oct 6th, 2016
Will Counties Handle State’s Prisoners?
State prisons are way over capacity; officials propose contracting with county jails.
Oct 3rd, 2016
Prison Admissions Rising in Rural Counties
Meanwhile, urban counties nationally and in southeast Wisconsin have decreased prison admission rates.
Sep 28th, 2016
$15 Minimum Wage?
Marquette poll shows 51% of Wisconsinites support a large minimum wage hike.
Sep 23rd, 2016
Decline in Unions Hurts Non-Unionized Workers
Weekly wages would be 5% higher for non-union private sector male workers if unionization was at 1979 levels.
Sep 15th, 2016
Tax Gimmick Would Have Little Benefit
Gov. Walker's back-to-school sales tax holiday comes with a $11 million a year price tag.
Sep 14th, 2016
15 Years of Declining UW Support
In real dollars state support of UW System has plummeted by one-third since 2001.
Aug 30th, 2016
State Child Care Program in Decline
Number served has dropped 21%, affecting early development of low-income kids.
Aug 19th, 2016
Teachers Earn Less Than Other College Grads
Even with benefits, they earn 11% less. And the gap is growing.
Aug 16th, 2016
Public Sector Costs Rank Below Most States
State ranks 47th in government employees per capita and 39th in payroll costs.
Aug 10th, 2016
Home Loans Reinforce Metro Segregation
In 2014, whites got 81% of loans, blacks just 4%, report shows.
Jul 28th, 2016
Several More States Raise Minimum Wage
29 states and D.C. have now raised it above federal minimum. But not Wisconsin.
Jul 8th, 2016
Tax Cut A Windfall for Millionaires
78% of 2011 Manufacturing and Agriculture Tax Credit goes to millionaires, new study shows.
Jun 28th, 2016
Wealth of State’s Top 1% Rises 120%
While other 99% of state residents saw a combined 4% increase since late 1970s.
Jun 24th, 2016
Attack on Summer Meals for Kids?
Last summer Wisconsin served 2.8 million free and reduced price meals. Proposed bill would slash program.
Jun 3rd, 2016
State Has Fourth Biggest Middle Class
But the percent of in the middle has dropped more than most states since 2000.
May 18th, 2016
The Decline in Equal Education Opportunity
Percent of state education dollars to poorer school districts has steadily declined since 2006.
May 13th, 2016
Slow Progress on State Rainy Day Fund
Walker administration made some contributions but fund is still tiny.
May 4th, 2016
Best Funded Schools Have Best Achievement
Students in state’s wealthiest school districts are 4 grade levels above poorest districts.
May 3rd, 2016
State Voters Support Taxing Wealthy More
66% of survey respondents do. But Legislature has lowered taxes on the rich.
Apr 29th, 2016
UW Death By A Thousand Cuts?
State budget cuts for UW System is causing many reductions in service.
Apr 21st, 2016
Wealthy Get Best Deal From State Taxes
The one percent pays 6.2% of income in taxes, middle class pays 10%.
Apr 15th, 2016
55 School Referendums Passed State-Wide
Voters show support for K-12 education, approve more spending in 55 of 71 referendums.
Apr 8th, 2016
School Referendums Hit Historic High
School districts asking voters to approve more spending than in any spring election in a decade.
Apr 4th, 2016
Little Help for College Students in Debt
Legislature’s small changes dwarfed by cutbacks in UW funding.
Apr 1st, 2016
Legislators Made Criminal Justice Reforms
They “banned the box” for employees, increased alternatives to prison, upped penalties for drunk driving.
Mar 25th, 2016
New Legislative Changes Impact Schools
Cuts for districts with voucher schools and reduction in program for smaller class sizes will have impact.
Mar 23rd, 2016
Who Gets Biggest Piece of the Pie?
Five pie charts show the increase in inequality and poverty in Wisconsin.
Mar 14th, 2016
Tax Credit Helps Rural Working Families
More than 1 in 10 families in 27 mostly rural counties benefit from earned income tax credit.
Mar 3rd, 2016
9 Districts’ Voters Hiked School Taxes
9 of 11 districts in state with school spending referendums passed them in Tuesday election.
Feb 18th, 2016
Why State’s Jobs Strategy Isn’t Working
Tax cuts have little benefit for small companies that create 70% of jobs, report concludes.
Feb 8th, 2016
Three Ways to Cut Cost of Prisons
A trio of proposed bills would save taxpayers money and help offenders.
Feb 5th, 2016
Wisconsin Ranks 39th in Public Employees
Number has been dropping since 2001. Only 11 states have fewer public workers per capita.
Feb 3rd, 2016
Wisconsin Has 4th Biggest Education Cuts
Education funding has gone down 13%, more than all but three states.
Dec 11th, 2015
Bill Forces 3-Year Wait for School Referendums
Fine print shows schools whose funding referendums fail must wait 3 years to relaunch.
Nov 11th, 2015
Legislators Borrow $350 Million for Highways
Bipartisan law will drive up debt and take from general fund for education and other needs.
Nov 6th, 2015
Walker Highway Plan May Cause Education Cuts
Using general fund rather than highway fund may lead to more cuts for schools and UW.
Oct 27th, 2015
Wisconsin Has Fewer Employees Than Most States
State has 7.4% less state workers than national average and payroll lower than 40 states.
Oct 7th, 2015
Congress Could Help State’s Working Poor
If lawmakers don't act, 158,00 Wisconsin families and 301,000 children could lose their tax credits.
Sep 29th, 2015
Stricter Overtime Rules Would Help Workers
Obama plan would benefit 198,000 Wisconsin workers, some below the poverty line.
Sep 7th, 2015
Tax Cuts Do Little to Spur Job Growth
Cuts skewed toward wealthy and haven't created jobs, statistics show.
Aug 19th, 2015
