Journalism

Medicaid: Wisconsin’s budget buster

A recent history of the state’s social spending Leviathan

By Mark Lisheron

As the state Legislature’s Joint Finance Committee begins budget deliberations, Gov. Tony Evers is pushing for a $31.6 billion budget for Medicaid over the next two years, a $4.2 billion biennial increase.

The $27.4 billion being spent on Medicaid in the current two-year cycle already represents nearly 30% of all state spending. In comparison, the governor is asking for $19.3 billion in 2024-25 biennium for public education, $13.9 billion for the University of Wisconsin System and $3.1 billion for Corrections.

The governor is once again asking that Wisconsin join 40 other states and allow the federal government to pay 90% of Medicaid costs. Republicans in the legislative majorities say they have no intention of giving the federal government a bigger say in how Medicaid is paid for and run in Wisconsin.

Viewpoint

Debate over gas stoves moves to front burner

New regulations elsewhere prompt trio of Wisconsin bills

By Mike Nichols

Is the left really coming for your gas stove? 

Wisconsin Republicans, who have introduced legislation ensuring you will be able to continue to run your appliances and your car and your home on fossil fuels, clearly think so.  

And there is considerable evidence they are correct. 

California has already approved regulations requiring most new, small off-road engines — things like leaf blowers and lawnmowers — to have zero emissions by next year.  

Dozens of municipalities in America have already banned natural gas hook-ups for new construction projects.  

And the New York State Legislature earlier this week passed a budget bill that prohibits natural-gas and other fossil fuel hookups for everything from stoves to water heaters to furnaces to clothes dryers in new residential and some new commercial buildings.

Badger Makes News

State lawmakers want cops back in Milwaukee Public Schools

But no money for the Hop

By Mark Lisheron

Assembly Republicans have proposed a sales tax plan for the city of Milwaukee that would put police officers back in Milwaukee Public Schools for the first time since 2016.

The plan would allow the financially hobbled city to levy a local 2% sales tax with the promise of state shared revenue to help pay down on its ballooning pension debt. But in addition to putting cops back in hallways, the legislative plan prohibits any use of funding for the city’s chronically troubled streetcar, the Hop.

While the specifics of the plan are still being negotiated and any local sales taxes would have to be approved by voters, state Rep. Bob Donovan, R-Greenfield, who worked on the plan, told the Badger Institute he was “pretty confident” in the support for the school resource officers.

Media mentions:

• WISN12 News: Stipulations in proposed sales tax increase: more police in Milwaukee and Milwaukee Public Schools

• Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Wisconsin lawmakers could force MPS to hire police officers in schools

Social Spotlight

Source: Scott Walker, Twitter

Read: Economist vindicates Act 10 and common sense

The Nation’s Report Card

“Far too many of our students are struggling to understand and explain the importance of civic participation, how American government functions, and the historical significance of events. These results are a national concern.”

— Peggy G. Carr, National Center for Education Statistics Commissioner

Source: NAEP, Twitter

Weekly Survey: What do you consider the most preferable influence on Wisconsin citizens’ energy use?

Previous Poll Results:

What We’re Reading

• National Review: American Students Fail in Civics and History Testing

• Alan J. Borsuk: Cudahy Schools' shift to a new reading curriculum looks like it's paying off

• Angela Rachidi: Promoting Mobility Through SNAP: Toward Better Health and Employment Outcomes

• American Institute for Economic Research: Eliminating Property Rights Destroys Social Order

• WILL: Parent Resources

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