Some are calling for elimination of Wisconsin’s individual income tax, which currently produces over $9 billion in annual revenue. Indeed, a resolution adopted at the most recent convention of the Republican Party of Wisconsin encouraged the state Legislature to “make Wisconsin an income-tax-free state” and noted that a number of other states already do without one.

To determine whether the proposal is realistic, this paper asks two primary questions: How do other states without an income tax fund their essential services? Under what circumstances would this be feasible in Wisconsin?

America’s energy grids are strained as electricity demand continues to grow exponentially, and zero-emission goals are diminishing so-called “baseload” generating capacity.

The response on the other side of Lake Michigan: a remarkable atomic about-face that may hold lessons for Wisconsin.

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in April 2022 announced that she supported keeping open the Palisades Nuclear Generating Station, which was due to close the following month.

A newly-released report on the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, conducted by the consulting firm Deloitte, praised the campus for its fiscal stability and “highly disciplined and centralized budget approach.”

The report was part of a set of such audits of UW campuses released this month, following a first batch of reports released in April.

Over the past two decades, the university saw an explosion of nonprofessional teaching staff, with ranks now at 159% of the level in 2003. Teaching staff increased to 125% of that starting point. Enrollments rose, too, and are 110% of their 2003 level.

In your own words 💬

“I live in Beloit and it’s amazing how much business building and investment is STILL going to the Illinois side of the line — not only in my vicinity, but to wealthy areas of Illinois in general. I expected that to change quite a while ago.”

— Jim L. Beloit, WI

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“It’s worth looking at as it raises questions. The counties indicated with the highest growth are playing catch-up after years of devastating poverty. On the other hand, if people are going more frequently to food banks in Waukesha County, you can bet it is not CPI driven inflation — it is local and primarily from outlandish housing costs.”

— Chris Kox. San Francisco, CA (WI native)

Comment source:

Badger Institute Annual Dinner

Rich Lowry, editor-in-chief of National Review, will deliver the keynote address at Badger Institute’s Annual Dinner on October 1. And, yes, he’s bringing the facts and opinions you won’t get from the mainstream media.

The biggest night on Badger Institute’s calendar is now less than one month away. So secure your tickets today for a night of great food, extraordinary company and Lowry’s comments on what’s at stake this November — and for America’s future.

Event details:

The research on changes in cannabis potency finds:

The Badger Institute, formerly known as the Wisconsin Policy Research Institute (WPRI), has long been at the forefront of the fight for school choice, right to work, welfare reform, tax restructuring, limited government, civil society and so much more. If you appreciate the Institute’s legacy and want to support free markets, opportunity and prosperity, please consider donating today. Your support will help the Institute continue to advocate for conservative principles now and in generations to come.

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