Wisconsin Policy Forum

"Bottom line: If Evers' budget is approved without changes, it would leave the state with a structural deficit that lawmakers would have to address. "If you look at the overall budget document, it would be difficult to sustain," said Jason Stein, president of the Wisconsin Policy Forum, a nonpartisan research organization." Our president spoke to WDJT CBS 58 about the two-year budget plan that Governor Tony Evers unveiled last week -- and what it would mean for state finances if adopted. Recent Forum research found Wisconsin retains impressive reserves that put it in a strong position heading into the 2025-27 state budget. But the state’s main fund now is spending more than it is taking in and the state’s balances are falling. As a result, state leaders may wish to exercise caution in considering large permanent tax cuts or spending increases.

THIS WEEK is the deadline to let us know if you're interested in a Forum fellowship or internship for 2025. Friday, Feb. 28, is the date by which to submit a letter of intent for these opportunities. Both of our two fellows for 2025-2026 will engage in a research project. The Gill fellow will look at a policy/governance issue impacting Milwaukee and/or southeast Wisconsin; the Berry fellow will look at an issue with statewide impact. We're also seeking applications for paid undergraduate or graduate research interns for summer 2025. Interns will be immersed in the research and analysis process, helping to develop research products using qualitative and quantitative methods. Click the link to learn more about these opportunities!

"It was a combination of population growth, new development, and the fact that maintaining large rosters of firefighters and paramedics had become increasingly difficult." The Forum's Rob Henken spoke to TMJ4 News about the newly consolidated Ozaukee Central Fire Department. The department went live at the beginning of the year, combining fire resources from the now former Grafton and Saukville fire departments. Its firefighters say they are decreasing response times for the communities they serve. Our 2021 report, "First Response," was commissioned by 9 fire departments in Ozaukee County. It considered and modeled a spectrum of service sharing and consolidation options for their commmunities.

"There are some things that are going to put pressure on both sides to reach a deal." Our president Jason Stein joined PBS Wisconsin and Wisconsin Public Radio last night to offer his reaction to Governor Tony Evers' budget address. Scroll to the 48:00 mark to hear his nonpartisan analysis of the governor's proposal, as well as how lawmakers may respond to it.

Following Governor Tony Evers' budget address at 7 pm tonight, tune in to Wisconsin Public Radio and PBS Wisconsin to hear our president Jason Stein offer nonpartisan reaction and analysis, joined by Zac Schultz and Shawn Johnson. As context for tonight's address, here we highlight one of our most recent reports analyzing state finances. It found that heading into the 2025-27 state budget, Wisconsin retains impressive reserves that put the state in a strong financial position. But state officials may wish to exercise caution, especially if they are eyeing large permanent tax cuts or spending increases.

"Wisconsin spends more than most states on corrections, and more than all neighboring Midwest states, according to a 2023 Wisconsin Policy Forum report." Our 2023 research on corrections policy in Wisconsin -- and how it compares nationally -- was cited by The Daily Cardinal, via Clara Strecker. Our research also found one substantial driver of our state's rate of -- and racial disparity in -- incarceration is its frequent practice of revoking offenders’ supervised release and returning them to prison for rule violations, rather than committing new crimes.

A new Wisconsin Public Radio report via Corrinne Hess highlights testimony from our president Jason Stein to Wisconsin lawmakers. Stein said that having consistent data -- including for student testing and other student outcomes -- is vital for all Wisconsin parents and taxpayers. The report looks at recent state changes to the Forward Exam, which assesses Wisconsin students’ knowledge in English and math from 3rd-8th grades. It notes that the Forum uses Forward Exam data to compare school districts over time and to each other.

"Voters approved a record number of referenda to fund local schools in 2024, totaling $4.4 billion in new funding, according to data by the Wisconsin Policy Forum." WDJT CBS 58 cites our work in this look at a bill to limit school districts' authority to hold property tax referenda. Districts face an array of fiscal pressures, including state funding that has lagged the rate of inflation, the loss of federal pandemic aid, and pressure to raise wages to attract and retain employees.

As emergency medical services (EMS) providers in Lafayette County Wisconsin face challenges maintaining appropriate staffing levels and response times, heightened collaboration could help stabilize provision of these services, our latest research finds. Many of the same challenges facing other Wisconsin EMS agencies are affecting those in Lafayette County. Call volumes are increasing, and recruiting and retaining staff has become more difficult, particularly maintaining sufficient rosters of volunteer responders. This can have life-and-death consequences. In recent years, communities examined in this report faced multiple instances in which an EMS agency was unable to assemble a crew to respond to a 911 call due to lack of available volunteers, relying on a nearby jurisdiction instead. Lafayette County is served by a patchwork of EMS agencies. Those located in the county include Argyle, Belmont, Blanchardville, Shullsburg, and Lafayette Co. EMS, in Darlington. Those based outside the county include Green Co. EMS, Hazel Green, Mineral Point, and Southwest Health. Our report outlines a spectrum of collaboration opportunities that could help address these agencies’ challenges, ranging from small-scale to intermediate opportunities. Should agencies wish to consider it, our report also offers options involving countywide collaboration. Greater coordination at a countywide level could help to ensure more uniform response times and improved quality of care, particularly for more critical situations requiring advanced life support. However, it likely would come at a higher cost to residents. We also find that the need for some stakeholders to rebuild trust —and for others, the willingness to consider change -- will be key for any movement toward countywide EMS sustainability.

The Forum's work in 2024 celebrated by more than 250 attendees at our Annual Meeting last week at the Milwaukee Club. We published 53 reports and briefs in 2024 that generated significant media and community attention and engagement. We accomplished this while completing a major organizational transition: our longtime leader, Rob Henken, stepped into his new role of immediate past president after more than 16 years leading our organization. We're greatly indebted to Rob for all he did to help make our organization what it is today -- most notably, leading the merger of the former Public Policy Forum and the former Wisconsin Taxpayer Alliance in 2018 to create the Wisconsin Policy Forum. Since then, Rob's leadership has helped to grow our reputation throughout Wisconsin and across the country. Our new president, Jason Stein, reflected on the transition and last year’s accomplishments, then gave an overview of our research agenda for 2025. Another event highlight was our panel discussion on Wisconsin's economic outlook for 2025 under the new Trump administration. Special thanks to our panelists, Bill McCoshen, who served as state Commerce Secretary under former GOP Gov. Tommy Thompson, and Cory Nettles, who held the same post under former Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle. Forum members also elected our new slate of board officers for 2025. Congrats to former vice chair Kenneth Munson, CEO of Community Care Inc, who was elected our new board chair for a two-year term. We thank outgoing chair Grady Crosby, Vice President at Northwestern Mutual, for his service and leadership. Other new Forum officers will be: Jennifer Bognar as one of our two vice chairs, and Deborah Tomczyk as secretary. Mark Czarnecki will continue as our second vice chair, as will Brad Viegut as board treasurer. Lastly, a word of thanks to all Forum members for making our work possible!