Browsing: Taxes

In state capitols across the country governors and legislatures have been forced to put all of their energy into solving enormous fiscal shortfalls. Given their dependence on income tax and sales tax revenues, the 2001 recession hit state governments particularly hard. In 2003, no fewer than 39 states, including Wisconsin, experienced budget gaps. During the

A flawed idea for schools and for taxpayers

In 2002, state and local government spending in Wisconsin was 7.7% above the national average while our income level was 2.8% below the national average

A Losing Bet? Filling Wisconsin’s Budget with Casino Revenue Melanie Fonder – Spring 2004 Read More… The Fall of Marvin…

Education Task Force: New Wrapping Can’t Disguise Old Ideas George Lightbourn – Fall 2004 Read More… Revenue Forecasting and the…

A critical examination

Could Campaign Finance Reform Happen Here? Read More… The Sorry State of Economic and Financial Education in Wisconsin Read More……

An Act to Remember Read More… The Tax Revolt of 2003 Read More… Celebrating Western Civilization Read More… Wisconsin’s Budget…

Early in the postwar era, Wisconsin was not among the nation’s highest-taxed states, as measured by state and local taxes.1 Relative to personal income, Wisconsin’s tax burden flirted with the “top ten” during those years, but did not reach it. That changed in 1963 when the full effect of sales and income tax increases enacted

Wisconsin state government is facing the most significant financial challenge in its history. The state budget is out of balance by $3.2 billion. The irony here is that the crisis comes close on the heels of the 1990s, when state government seemed able to do anything. That was the era of elevated spending, new programs,

An examination of the implementation of competitive contracting and privatization by Wisconsin’s government

Can Wisconsin Raise the Bar? Read More… Painting a Different Picture Read More… Ethics and Rhetoric in Wisconsin Judicial Elections…

Adults or Kids?: Inspecting the Rights, Responsibilities, and Privileges of 18-20 Year Olds Read More… The War Against Grammar Read…

Dale Belman, Ph.D. & John Heywood, Ph.D. The setting of public sector compensation should command the attention of all citizens. The level of such compensation helps determine both the competence and efficiency of government services. Too high a level wastes the resources of state and local governments, depriving them of the opportunity to address other

By Roger Parks, Ph.D., Ronald Oakerson, Ph.D. Throughout the 1980s and into 1990, Wisconsin has labored over the twin issues of property tax relief and the control of state/local spending. The two concerns are interrelated, but differently focused. Effective property tax relief requires local tax restraint; otherwise tax dollars spent for relief may instead finance increases in