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Wisconsin Budget Project

The Wisconsin Budget Project is a WCCF initiative engaged in analysis and education on the state budget and tax issues, particularly those relating to low and moderate income families.  The budget project seeks to broaden the debate on budget and tax policy through public education and the encouragement of civic engagement on these issues.

Based on the most recent national data (from 2004), Wisconsin ranked 17th in total state and local spending (measured as a percentage of income).

Contrary to the perception that our state has a large government bureaucracy, Wisconsin ranked 45th (6th lowest) in 2005 in the number of state employees relative to population, and 34th (17th lowest) in state and local government employees relative to population.

Recent News

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). View the summary...Read the WCCF press release...

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).

Comparative Summary of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and Its Implications for Wisconsin. This document tracks about 60 parts of the federal economic stimulus legislation, showing what many of them will mean for Wisconsin and how they changed during the Congressional process (February 26, 2009) WCCF 2009-2011 National Priorities. Wisconsin depends on federal funding to provide vital children’s services from healthcare to child care to nutrition assistance, which means that decisions made in Washington DC can have a big impact on state and local programs. This new page highlights federal issues and resources related to Wisconsin's budget. 2009 Federal Poverty Levels Released! Click for latest poverty guidelines and latest poverty tables.

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.

Project Goals

Ensure a balanced and fair tax system and budget process that protects the well-being of children and families and provides for a stable system of state revenues.

Provide timely and credible analyses of state fiscal issues that are useful for policymakers, other nonprofits, the media and the general public.

Ensure that the needs of lower-income Wisconsin families are considered in the debates about budget and tax issues.
 

Project Staff

Jon Peacock: Research Director contact