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2009-2011 Publications
2009-2011 Testimony
2009-2011 Presentations

PUBLICATIONS

Pew Report Assessed Budget Challenges, not the Budget Solutions -- A recent report by the Pew Center on the States ranked states on the basis of the magnitude of the fiscal challenges they faced this year as lawmakers crafted state budget bills.  It put Wisconsin among the 10 states facing the most fiscal peril.  This very brief paper summarizes the methodology used in that ranking and explains why it shouldn’t be misconstrued as an assessment of the budgets adopted in each state (November 13, 2009).

An Overview of the 2009-11 State Budget – Balancing the 2011-13 budget was an exceptionally challenging task. This paper provides a general picture of how the budget was balanced and outlines some of the more significant decisions relating to services for children and families (August 28, 2009).

Supports for Low-Income Families – Notwithstanding the state’s severe budget challenges, policymakers were able to protect key safety net programs and even make some modest improvements in programs serving low-income families. This paper examines the budget provisions relating to the Wisconsin Works (W-2) program, child support, and tax credits for low-income families
(September 3, 2009).

Federal Fiscal Relief Helps Balance the Budget – Through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), the federal government provided significant sums to state and local governments, allowing them to avoid even more painful cuts to critical services and programs. This 2-page paper examines that revenue and the challenge facing the state when it expires at the end of 2010 (September 4, 2009).

Health Care Highlights of the 2009-11 Budget – This paper provides an overview of the major provisions relating to health care in the 2009-11 budget bill and looks ahead to the challenges the state will face in 2011-13 (September 8, 2009).

Revenue Uppers Help Close Budget Shortfall – The biennial budget bill makes changes that generate a little over $2 billion in revenue. The changes range from an increase in the cigarette tax to changes in the treatment of capital gains. Still, these revenue uppers by themselves closed only a fraction of the budget gap, and General Fund taxes in each year of the new biennium will be less that the level in 2008-09 (September 8, 2009).

What's Passed is Prologue...for Future Budget Difficulties - The state faces a “structural imbalance” for the 2011-13 biennium of $2.05 billion. That figure represents the amount of revenue growth that will be needed in the next biennium simply to maintain 2010-11 spending levels, without any adjustments for inflation or caseload growth. This brief paper examines the magnitude of the problems and its causes, such as phased-in tax cuts and the use of short-term fixes for long-term spending commitments (September 9, 2009).

Comparative Analysis of Act 28: The 2009-11 Biennial Budget Bill. This document is a comprehensive summary of the 2009-11 biennial budget bill – focusing primarily on issues relating to children and families, but also addressing measures relating to the immense challenge of filling a budget deficit of more than $6 billion.  It compares the final law (Act 28), including the Governor’s vetoes, with the versions approved at each stage of the budget process (Updated June 30, 2009).

Comparative Analysis of Selected 2009-11 Budget Provisions With Assembly, Senate and Conference Committee Changes - This document is a comprehensive summary of the 2009-11 biennial budget bill – focusing primarily on issues relating to children and families, but also addressing measures relating to the immense challenge of filling a budget deficit of more than $6 billion. It compares the Conference Committee’s budget to the versions recommended by the Senate, Assembly, Joint Finance Committee and Governor.  It will be updated again in the next couple of days to reflect the Governor’s vetoes (Updated June 29, 2009).

Comparative Analysis of Selected 2009-11 Budget Provisions Recommended by the Governor and Joint Finance Committee – This document is a comprehensive summary of the 2009-11 biennial budget bill – focusing primarily on issues relating to children and families, but also addressing measures relating to the immense challenge of filling a budget deficit of more than $6 billion. It compares the Joint Finance Committee version of the bill to the bill introduced by the Governor.  It will be updated as the budget moves through the legislative process (Updated June 9, 2009).

Additional Options for Closing Wisconsin’s Budget Shortfall – This short paper explains four options for generating additional revenue in the biennial budget
(May 4, 2009).

Analysis of Assembly Bill 75: The 2009-11 Biennial Budget Bill – This document is a comprehensive summary of the Governor’s 2009-11 biennial budget proposal – focusing primarily on issues relating to children and families, but also addressing measures relating to the immense challenge of filling a budget deficit of nearly $6 billion. It will be updated as more information becomes available and as the budget moves through the legislative process (Updated March 19, 2009).

Catalog of Tax Reform Options – This catalog presents an inventory of options for reforming the state’s tax system and finding a balanced approach for filling the state deficit, which is now expected to surpass $5 billion over the next two and a half years.  The catalog, which is a joint effort of the Institute for Wisconsin’s Future and WCCF, presents a wide range of alternatives for enhancing state revenue.

Highlights of the House Economic Recovery Package – This 2-page paper summarizes the current House version of the Economic Recovery and Reinvestment Act, focusing on the parts relevant for children and families and for state and local aid.  It includes preliminary estimates of Wisconsin’s allocations if the federal funding is approved (Jan. 27, 2009).

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TESTIMONY

Supporting Senate Bill 62, the Budget Repair Bill

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PRESENTATIONS

WCCF Webinar: State Budget Balancing Act: What’s in store for children and families in the 2009-2011 Wisconsin Budget? (3/20/09)

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