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Recent WCCF Publications

Limiting Options for Undocumented Youth: Tuition Policy Closing Doors. This paper highlights the brief history of access to in-state tuition for undocumented students in Wisconsin, comparing what we have done to other states and summarizing both the personal and economic loss created by the 2011-13 budget decision to eliminate this opportunity for many youth (May, 2012).

Is It Working for Kids. WCCF’s partial list of recent policy changes affecting children and families (May 8, 2012). 

Q & A Summary of the Upcoming Changes to BadgerCare. The federal Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has approved a portion of the cost-cutting changes that the Walker Administration has been seeking to make to BadgerCare.  This document answers some of the basic questions about those changes, such as who will be affected, how, and when (May 7, 2012).

Options for Closing the Shrinking Medicaid Deficit – This Wisconsin Budge Project paper examines the latest estimates of the size of the Medicaid deficit and options for eliminating that shortfall (May 4, 2012).

Overview of BadgerCare Changes Being Implemented by the Department of Health Services. This two-page paper provides an overview of the BadgerCare Plus changes approved by the federal Department of Health and Human Services for adults over 133 percent of the federal poverty level. It also notes which of the Walker Administration proposed changes were not approved, including those which would have caused 29,000 children to lose their BadgerCare coverage (May 3, 2012).

Analysis of Proposed BadgerCare and Medicaid Cuts. WCCF and the Save BadgerCare Coalition have summarized the DHS proposals to cut Medicaid and BadgerCare, and the likely consequences.

Inconsistencies Between the BadgerCare Changes and the Affordable Care Act.
Governor Walker and DHS officials have frequently argued that all of the cost-cutting changes they were seeking to make to BadgerCare are consistent with the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and provide a test of measures that will take effect nationwide in 2014.  Although the changes recently approved by HHS are legally permissible, they are nonetheless inconsistent with the federal law in a number of important details and in the general intent.  This short paper overviews the approved changes, and how they differ from the ACA (April 30, 2012).

Elect Candidates for Kids. WCCF's 4-page electoral advocacy handout (April 30, 2012).

An Overview of Major Health-Related Bills in the 2011-1012 Legislative Session. This four-page document provides a summary of the major bills related to health and health care that were considered by the Wisconsin legislature during the
2011-12 session, which came to a close in March 2012. It includes links to bill text and history, and notes which bills were signed into law by the Governor
(April 4, 2012).

2011-2011 State Legislative Session Wrap-Up. Check out WCCF's summary of legislation affecting kids and families that was considered in the recently ended legislative session. (Note that these lists do not include the biennial budget or special session bills (April 3, 2012).

Sorting Out Which Immigrant Groups Are Eligible for BadgerCare Plus – This short paper examines which immigrant groups are and aren’t affected by Wisconsin’s implementation of the option to allow lawfully residing immigrant children and pregnant immigrants to participate in BadgerCare Plus. It notes that there is still some uncertainty about whether the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services will allow certain additional categories of immigrants to be covered (March 29, 2012).

The Status of BadgerCare Cost-Cutting Initiatives Proposed by the Department
of Health Services. This paper summarizes the revised proposals made by the Department of Health Services to reduce BadgerCare participation and spending.
It provides a side-by-side comparison of the latest proposals and the original DHS cost-saving initiatives, including the fiscal effects and the number of children and adults potentially affected (March 13, 2012).

YoungStar in Wisconsin: Analysis of Data as of January 2012. This report describes the remarkable progress made in the rollout of YoungStar statewide, including information on ratings statewide and by region, efforts to help programs improve, and considerations and challenges for the future.

Milwaukee YoungStar Survey Shows a Mixture of Optimism and Anxiety. This WCCF research brief provides a provider’s eye view of YoungStar, based on interviews of 50 family child care providers in Milwaukee, with analysis of their responses and comments from the interviewees.

The Impact of Concentrated Poverty on our Future. Growing up poor can be a struggle, but growing up in a poor neighborhood multiplies the challenges that children and families face, even for children who are not poor.  The Annie E. Casey Foundation has released a Data Snapshot on High Poverty Communities, highlighting the growth in the number and percent of children growing up in neighborhoods with concentrated poverty around the country and in Wisconsin (a 53% increase over the last decade).  Check out the Casey Data Snapshot and our WCCF blog posting for more ideas about what we can do to improve the outcomes for children growing up poor in low-income neighborhoods.

On the Record with Jon Peacock. Tim Stumm, editor of the Wisconsin Health News, recently interviewed Jon Peacock, WCCF’s research director, regarding the proposed changes to BadgerCare, the bill lifting the Family Care cap, and the Governor’s decision not to implement health care exchanges. (Wisconsin Health News is an independent, nonpartisan online news service. For a free two-week trial contact Tim Stumm at tstumm@wisconsinhealthnews.com).

The Future of BadgerCare. On February 16th, Covering Kids and Families (CKF) hosted a webinar featuring DHS Secretary Dennis Smith and WCCF Research Director Jon Peacock.  You can find it on the CKF website or access it directly at http://bit.ly/zAIgww

A Hidden Tax Hike for Seniors. Working families and the elderly will be hit with a $14 million property tax increase over the next two years, and see their taxes continue to rise in later years, thanks to the Legislature’s decision to effectively freeze the Homestead Credit for modest-income homeowners and renters
February 1, 2012).

Tables for Annual, Monthly and Hourly Earnings at Various Percentages of the Poverty Level (January 2012).

Falling Support for Schools Threatens Wisconsin’s Economic Future. Massive reductions in state and local support for education could inflict severe damage to Wisconsin’s public schools. Nearly $2 billion in cuts to schools over the next two years have left students with fewer academic opportunities and resulted in job loss (January 9, 2012).

Policy Changes Affecting Working Families in 2012. This paper provides a two-page synopsis of delayed budget cuts and policy changes that will adversely affect Wisconsin’s working families in 2012 (January 2012).

Tax Credits Chart for Low Income Families (English) (December, 2011). 
Tax Credits Chart for Low Income Families (Spanish) (December, 2011).
Tax Credits Chart for Low Income Families (Hmong) (December, 2011).

Do the Proposed Changes to BadgerCare Constitute a Test of the Affordable Care Act? This two-page paper analyzes and debunks the DHS contention that granting a demonstration waiver for the proposed BadgerCare changes would serve as a  test of measures that will be required or allowed by federal law in 2014 (December 12, 2011).

Losing Out: How Wisconsin Surrendered $1.3 Billion in Federal Money. State budget cuts or incomplete funding of state programs meant Wisconsin did not capture millions in federal funds that were available over the current biennium. As a result, Wisconsin families will lose out on federal money for health care, job training, child support, education and transportation (December 12, 2011).

Wisconsin Taxes as a Share of Income at a 15-Year Low. This paper analyzes trends in state and local taxes and spending, based on recently released Census Bureau data for 2009 (November 17, 2011).  

A Comparative Summary of the DHS Proposals for BadgerCare Changes and the Changes the State Plans to Make if the MOE Waivers Aren't Granted. This short paper compares the potential effects of the BadgerCare changes proposed by DHS and approved by the Joint Finance Committee with the changes in adult eligibility that DHS plans to make if Wisconsin does not receive a federal waiver of the "maintenance of effort" (MOE) requirements (November 14, 2011).

Analyzing the Effects of the Proposed BadgerCare Changes: How Will the DHS Proposals Affect Health Care for Children? On October 31, the Dept. of Health Services (DHS) unveiled its proposals for waivers to substantially change Medicaid and BadgerCare.  This WCCF paper reviews the scariest portion of the Halloween eve proposals, which would significantly reduce access to health care for Wisconsin children (November 11, 2011).

$4.7 Billion from Two Recovery Measures Directly Benefitted Wisconsin Residents. Two important stimulus efforts -- extended jobless benefits and the payroll tax cut -- will expire at the end of the year unless Congress takes action. This analysis includes a county-by-county estimate of payments received through those two programs. These two benefits are just part of the larger Recovery effort, and a county-by-county estimate of additional benefits related to the stimulus can be found here (November 2011).  

A Doctor When We Need One: Access to Healthcare in Wisconsin for Immigrant Children and Families. Check out this latest WisKids Count brief. Access to health care is fundamental to the healthy development of all children.  But for children in immigrant families in Wisconsin, seeing the family doctor is not always easy. (Fall 2011).

YoungStar in Wisconsin: An Initial Progress Report (Statewide) as of July 2011. This report provides statewide baseline data on YoungStar as it begins to be implemented, and provides information on the flurry of activity leading up to July 2011 (October 19, 2011).

YoungStar in Milwaukee: An Initial Progress Report (Milwaukee) as of July 2011. This report provides Milwaukee County baseline data on YoungStar aas it begins to be implement, and provides information on preparatory activities leading up to July 2011 (October 19, 2011).

A Work in Progress: Our Growing List of Questions about the Proposed Changes to BadgerCare. The Department of Health Services has outlined a 39-point plan  for cutting $554 million from Medicaid and BadgerCare.  However, the department’s plans appear to be a work in progress, as is our long list of questions about the Department’s proposals (October 17, 2011).

Summary of the Medicaid and BadgerCare Cost-Cutting Initiatives Proposed by the Department of Health Services. This WCCF paper is a preliminary analysis of the DHS proposed changes, to cut $554 million in BadgerCare and Medicaid spending. It outlines the changes to eligibility, benefits, payment reform, and service delivery, including some preliminary thoughts about the consequences of these changes. The summary is limited to the new cost-savings introduced by DHS on September 30th (October 10, 2011).

Overview of Consequences of Wisconsin DHS Proposal to cut $554 million from Medicaid. Save BadgerCare Coalition's "Overview of Consequences of Wisconsin DHS Proposal to cut $554 million from Medicaid" (October 6, 2011).

The State of Juvenile Justice in Wisconsin: What Do We Really Know? Check out this just-released report that highlights the steady decline of juvenile arrests, youth waived to adult court, youth placed in correctional institutions, and youth placed in temporary detention centers over the past decade and includes policy recommendations going forward, including returning 17-year olds to the juvenile system and reinvesting savings in proven prevention and intervention strategies (October 2011). Also see WCCF press release.

What’s Passed Is Prologue: Looking Ahead to 2013-15; Lawmakers Shouldn’t Count on a Significant Balance in the Next Budget. This issue brief examines the assumptions underlying the projections that Wisconsin’s budget will be in the black in 2013-15, and points to political and economic why lawmakers should not start counting on a surplus (September 12, 2011).  

What’s At Stake with Possible Medicaid/BadgerCare Waiver Policy Changes?
In coming weeks, the WI Department of Health Services will be submitting a waiver to the federal government in order to make the budget-required $467 million in cuts to BadgerCare and Medicaid. This short paper overviews some potential proposals which would have detrimental effects for WI’s health care system and make it difficult for families to maintain the health coverage they need (September 9, 2011).

New Census Data Confirm Wisconsin Has a Lean Public Sector. This two-page issue brief shows that Wisconsin has 5.9 percent fewer state and local government employees per capita than the national average, ranking 39th among the states (September 7, 2011).

On the Path To Becoming a ‘C’ Student in Education - Once a National Leader, Wisconsin Slips Toward Average. This two-page paper analyzes recent trends in education. Over the last few years in Wisconsin, growth in support for classroom learning has not kept up with the national average, state support for schools has declined, and student/teacher ratios have increased. The massive cuts to schools in the 2011-13 budget will likely exacerbate these troubling trends (August 30, 2011).

BadgerCare Plus: Who’s Eligible, for What, and at What Price? This WCCF paper describes who is eligible for BadgerCare Plus, what they are eligible for, and what their premiums are (updated August 16, 2011).

WCCF Series Examines Impact of Budget on Kids and Families. The series, “31 Ways in 31 Days,” highlights different ways children and families will be affected by the budget, and begins the process of rebalancing Wisconsin’s priorities. Read WCCF press release and “31 Ways in 31 Days” on the WCCF blog (August 2, 2011) .

Effects of the Biennial Budget and Budget Repair Bills for Working Families - This two-page paper summarizes some of the ways that the proposed 2011-13 budget bill and the newly enacted budget repair bill will affect working families, particularly low-wage workers.  It examines the cuts to the Earned Income Tax Credit and Homestead Tax Credit, likely effects on health care programs, potential cuts to child care subsidies, diminished opportunities for education and training, and cuts to transit programs (Updated July 14, 2011).

Tax Cuts and Tax Increases in the Budget Bill and 2011 Special Session Bills. This two-page fact sheet describes the fiscal effect of tax cuts and tax increases in the 2011-13 biennial budget bill (July 14, 2011).

Fact Sheet on Unemployment Compensation and Extended Benefits in Wisconsin (July 7, 2011, Updated August 2, 2011).

Increasing Share of Scarce Resources Spent on Corrections (July 6, 2011).

Comparative Analysis of 2011-13 Biennial Budget Bill. This document is a summary of the 2011-13 biennial budget bill, focusing primarily on issues relating to children and families (Updated July 6, 2011).

From Evidence to Action: Preventing Adolescent Pregnancy in Wisconsin
Based on the PolicyLab Brief, “Preventing Adolescent Pregnancy. In this paper, we outline the three areas of evidence and action identified by PolicyLab, and report on the current state of Wisconsin policy efforts in each area (Summer 2011).

Early Care and Education Scorecard: 2011-13 Wisconsin Budget. After Joint Finance action taken May 31, 2011 on the Governor’s budget, here is our analysis of the pluses and minuses for key early care and education programs. The overall impact is reduced revenue for early learning and child care, but the cuts were not as deep as in many other areas of the state budget. Given the political climate, it is fair to say that it could have been much worse (June 2011).

Wisconsin Early Learning Coalition (ELC) Statement Regarding 2011-13 State Budget (June 2011).

Extended Unemployment Benefits Can Provide a Critical Boost for Wisconsin’s Jobless Workers and the State’s Economy. This short paper explains the reasons why Wisconsin policymakers should accept federal funding, estimated at $89 million this year, to extend unemployment insurance benefits for an additional 13 weeks  (June 23, 2011).  

The Budget’s Real-Life Impact on Wisconsin Families. It’s clear that this state budget hits the state’s most vulnerable families the hardest. This analysis shows how the budget would affect individual working-class families (Update June 23, 2011).

The Budget’s Real-Life Effects on Workers in the Public Sector. Changes in the state budget and budget repair legislation will make it harder for low-income workers in the public sector to make ends meet. This two-page brief examines these changes and their impact on the families of people employed in public sector jobs. See WCCF press release (June 22, 2011).

Comparison of Medicaid Policy-Making Changes in Act 10 and the Biennial Budget Bill. This one-page paper compares the provisions relating to Medicaid policy-making in the biennial budget bill with the similar portions it is repealing and replacing in the budget repair bill.  In addition to providing a succinct comparison of the two bills, it links to a much more thorough WCCF analysis of the changes (June 21, 2011).

 Budget Bill Approves Sweeping Shift in Authority for Medicaid Policymaking.  This WCCF paper summarizes the portions of the amended budget bill granting the Department of Health Services authority to make sweeping changes in Wisconsin’s Medicaid-related programs.  The paper compares those provisions with the similar Medicaid portions of Act 10, the budget repair bill (Updated June 21, 2011).

Senators Must Resolve Conflict between Act 10 and JFC Budget: Will Public Have Input into Future Medicaid Policy Decisions? Both the budget bill and budget repair bill contain similar provisions transferring Medicaid policy making authority to the Dept. of Health Services.  This one-page paper compares those parts of the two bills, particularly the difference regarding whether public hearings will be required before DHS makes policy changes that supersede state statutes (June 16, 2011).   

Wisconsin Values Budget. WCCF and partner organizations have unveiled an alternative budget approach that better reflects the values and priorities of the people of Wisconsin. This document outlines this better, more balanced approach to the state budget (May 25, 2011). Also, view the one-page summary of this paper.

Wisconsin Has Nation's Highest Ratio of Manufacturing Jobs to Government Jobs. This Wisconsin Budget Project brief examines how Wisconsin compares to other states in the ratio of manufacturing jobs to government jobs. Our analysis found that no other state had a higher ratio of manufacturing jobs to government jobs in 2009 than Wisconsin. This brief is an updated version of a July 2010 brief on the same topic (May 25, 2011).

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Decrease in Tax Revenue Contributed to State Fiscal Difficulties - This two-page paper explains that curbing spending will need to be part of the solution to the budget deficit, but policymakers should not overlook the fact that a significant decrease in state tax revenue was a major contributor to the state’s budget gap (May 11, 2011).

The Erosion of the Homestead Tax Credit. This two-page brief analyzes the effects of not adjusting the credit for inflation between 1990 until 2010. For many years, the Homestead Credit was the only significant part of the state tax code that wasn’t annually indexed for inflation. That was remedied by the last biennial budget bill, but Governor Walker’s proposed budget would repeal indexing (May 2011).

Recommendations for Improving Services to Infants, Toddlers and Families. This report provide six top recommendations for improving infant-toddler services in Wisconsin.  Recommendations were developed by the task force including Wisconsin Council on Children and Families, Celebrate Children Foundation, Wisconsin Alliance for Infant Mental Health, Wisconsin Early Childhood Association, and Supporting Families Together Association.  The report is intended to generate discussion and consideration on infant–toddler issues, often left out of early childhood policy deliberations (Spring 2011).

Pathways Brief #4: Milestones: Advancements to Pathways for Early Childhood Higher Education. This policy brief is the fourth and final installment in a series exploring career pathways and the connection to higher education. The report summarizes our work in this area over the past year and more, including details on progress towards a system wide approach to Credit for Prior Learning in Wisconsin’s Technical colleges (Winter 2010-2011).

Early Care and Education in the Governor’s 2011-13 Budget - Key Issues. WCCF policy brief based on materials available April 8, 2011.

State Budget Issues Webcast. The Wisconsin Council on Children and Families hosted a webcast on Tuesday, April 12, 2011. In his presentation, Jon Peacock examined the portions of Gov. Walker’s proposed 2011-13 budget that affect children and families, with particular attention to the potential impact of cuts in health care, early education, and local aid, as well as changes in taxes and revenue. View slides from the presentation.

Constitutionally Requiring a “Fiscal Responsibility Fund.” A proposed constitutional amendment would mandate specific contributions to the state’s rainy day fund, and restrict the conditions under which the fund could be tapped. This two-page issue brief discusses the pros and cons of the amendment (April 11, 2011).

New Budget Adjustment Bill, Combined with Previous Legislation, Very Similar to Governor’s Original Proposal - When SB 12/AB 13 and 2011 Act 10 are taken in combination, the fiscal effect is very similar to the Governor’s original budget adjustment proposal he made in February 2011 (April 2011).

Budget Adjustment Bill Does Not Actually Repair the Budget -- The 2011 budget adjustment bill includes several non-fiscal policy changes, but does not actually address the shortfalls that spurred the need for budget adjustment legislation in the first place. This two-page paper compares the fiscal effects of 2011 Act 10 to earlier versions of the bill (March 17, 2011).

Summary of Fiscal Changes in the 2011 Budget Adjustment Bill. The purpose of the budget adjustment bill is to address the gap that has opened between revenues and projected spending for fiscal year 2011. This summary describes fiscal changes in the bill as proposed by the Governor, passed by the Joint Finance Committee, and approved by the Assembly (March 4, 2011).

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Different Versions of Budget Repair Bill Are Largely Similar on Fiscal Issues. This brief compares three different versions of the 2011 budget repair bill and finds that – at least on fiscal issues – they are substantially similar (March 2, 2011).

Non-Fiscal Proposals at Heart of Budget Stalemate. The state’s budget adjustment bill, aimed at closing the shortfall that has opened in fiscal year 2011, has provoked a stand-off in the Wisconsin State Senate and fuelled furious public opposition. Disagreements over the budget adjustment bill have largely focused on non-fiscal policy provisions in the bill (March 2, 2011).

New Census Data on State and Local Spending and Revenue - New data from the U.S. Census Bureau show that Wisconsin was below average in per capita state and local taxes and spending in fiscal year 2008. This two-page paper analyzes the latest data and updates the state rankings (January 2011).

Well-Being of Rural Children and Families in Wisconsin. Rural Wisconsin is a beautiful place to live, work and raise a family. Proximity to the state’s natural resources presents wonderful opportunities for adventure and exploration. Yet, rural children and families face many of the same challenges as their rural neighbors but are disproportionately more likely to be without the public services to assist them when necessary (Winter 2010-11).

Success, éxito, vam meej. English Language Learners in Rural Wisconsin Schools
For all students to be successful, we must recognize that the needs of ELL students are statewide and not just in a few urban school districts in the state. Close to half of Wisconsin’s ELLs attend school in a district that receives no state funds for bilingual/bicultural education (Winter 2010-11).

Healthy Kids, Healthy Communities. Access to Health Care for Children and Families in Rural Wisconsin Healthy, happy, confident kids: a goal shared by parents and health providers alike. A big part of achieving that goal is the ability of parents to access their family doctor, dentist or mental health provider when they are needed (Winter 2010-11).

WCCF Publication Archive (2010-2006)

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