Focus #11
2018
How should local governments respond to declining transit ridership?
Bus ridership has decreased for most large transit systems in Wisconsin in recent years, following a national trend. So far, local governments have found ways to make up for lost fare revenue and avoid service reductions, though that may become
Read MoreFocus #10
2018
Local governments turn to “wheel taxes” as other revenues lag
In recent years, Wisconsin has seen a sudden increase in local governments establishing new vehicle registration fees. A local vehicle registration fee–otherwise known as a “wheel tax”–is an annual charge in addition to the state $75 registration fee for most
Read MoreFocus #9
2018
New CBO report raises concerns for deficit, federal aid
The federal tax cut approved in December and more recent spending legislation could have implications for state and local governments. According to a new Congressional Budget Office report, while both are expected to stimulate the economy, they also will lead
Read MoreFocus #8
2018
Is Municipal Debt Rising Too Fast?
Recent Wisconsin Policy Forum research finds stressful levels of capital debt in Milwaukee and Racine that are exacerbating other fiscal pressures. A review of other Wisconsin municipalities shows that debt levels are rising across the board, though few face the
Read MoreFocus #7
2018
Foxconn Could Bring Big Changes to Transportation, Transit
The planned Foxconn manufacturing complex in Racine County is requiring state and local leaders to rethink long-standing policies about infrastructure, jobs, economic development, and municipal service boundaries. At the recent Wisconsin Policy Forum annual meeting, a panel of speakers discussed
Read MoreFocus #6
2018
AFRs & CAFRs, Surpluses & Deficits
Two key financial documents appear to paint conflicting pictures of state finances in 2017. Accounting differences explain much of the discrepancy between a positive $579 million budgetary balance reported in the AFR and a negative $1.6 billion GAAP balance in
Read MoreFocus #5
2018
On the Ballot: The Fate of Wisconsin’s State Treasurer
The April 3rd election ballot asks voters to consider amending the state constitution to abolish the state treasurer’s office. In recent decades, lawmakers and the governor have transferred most of the treasurer’s duties to other state agencies. If voters approve
Read MoreFocus #4
2018
Wisconsin’s Teacher Workforce: Trends in Supply and Turnover
Staffing figures from the Department of Public Instruction show a spike in the number of teachers leaving the workforce following 2011 Act 10. In recent years, that number has returned to “normal” and districts have been able to replace those
Read MoreFocus #3
2018
Spring Elections in Wisconsin
Turnout for Wisconsin’s nonpartisan spring elections tends to be about half that for fall partisan races. The drop-off may be due in part to a lack of competitive races for county, city, village, town, and school board offices. However, this
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