Focus #6
2019
Another Alarming Achievement Gap
Measures of academic achievement for English Learners (ELs) in Wisconsin are far below those of their English-proficient peers. Only 17% of ELs in third grade can read proficiently, while just 4% of EL eighth graders are proficient in math. What...
Read MoreFocus #5
2019
Gov. Evers’ Budget: A First Look
In his first budget bill, Gov. Tony Evers is seeking to increase expenditures out of the state’s main fund by $2.7 billion over two years, prioritizing spending on K-12 education, health care for the needy, prisons, and the University of...
Read MoreFocus #4
2019
Understanding the State Budget Process
The state budget is usually the most important piece of legislation passed in every legislative session, but it has a timetable and terminology that can be confusing. To help demystify the process, we offer the following overview and a glossary...
Read MoreFocus #3
2019
State Budget Picture Brightens but Concerns Remain
The state of Wisconsin ended last year with a positive cash balance in its main fund but also a big qualifier. Every year the state makes financial commitments that it does not pay until future years, which add up to...
Read MoreFocus #2
2019
Divided Government Returns to Wisconsin
A decade has passed since the last time power was held by both parties in the state Capitol. With the election of Democratic Gov. Tony Evers and Republican majorities in both houses of the Legislature, sharing control of state government...
Read MoreFocus #1
2019
New Year Brings New Research from WPF
As we look ahead to our second year as the Wisconsin Policy Forum, our research offerings will include comprehensive, nonpartisan analysis of the 2019-21 state budget; an in-depth examination of the state-local fiscal relationship; a report on Milwaukee’s Hispanic workforce;...
Read MoreFocus #26
2018
Forum Unveils Top Five Research Findings of 2018
Reflecting on a year’s worth of policy briefs, reports, and digital research products, the Forum has selected its top five research findings of 2018. The list includes items involving state fiscal and justice system policies, Milwaukee County infrastructure, Milwaukee charter...
Read MoreFocus #25
2018
Uprooted: Evictions in Wisconsin
Rental housing evictions are pervasive in some Wisconsin communities, destabilizing families and neighborhoods. Our research finds eviction rates vary widely across the state and are particularly concentrated in southeast Wisconsin, where an effort to address the problem has begun in...
Read MoreFocus #24
2018
Municipal Voters Approve Levy Hikes
In our last Focus, we looked at the results for referenda on school district spending on the November ballot. In addition, voters in many communities cast referenda ballots to exceed limits on municipal property tax levies, eliminate “dark store” property...
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