Ever interested in how Wisconsin can spend less on government, we found fewer examples of parsimonious politicians elsewhere in America than we’d hoped.

How does Wisconsin’s spending compare to other states?

It depends which ones you’re looking at and what sort of spending counts.

Our Annual Dinner is coming up on October 1, and we’ll feature a panel of veteran journalists and think tank leaders talking about left-wing media bias and how conservatives can make sure our ideas and opinions are fairly and factually reported.

This is a new line-up, a switch we made because of concern about an interview Rich Lowry, our previously scheduled speaker, took part in on the Megyn Kelly Show.

A federal report this month is touting two Wisconsin nuclear power plant sites — one operating, one shut down — as attractive locations for installing new nuclear electric generating plants.

Department of Energy researchers evaluated 54 operating nuclear power plants nationwide and another 11 recently retired plants as potential sites for new reactors. Such sites would be “ideal places to start building new reactors,” a DOE statement put it, because “communities surrounding these plants already support nuclear energy,” and because infrastructure needed to connect a plant to the power transmission grid already is in place.

Menard Family Initiative

Homes have become less affordable in Wisconsin, and some of the blame has been pinned onto delays that result from the public approval process for new development. Some relief might be coming in January, however, thanks to a law the Legislature passed last year.

The law is intended to reduce uncertainty and speed up the development process, minimizing delays caused by opposition. It passed into law by the Legislature on a bipartisan basis and signed into law by Gov. Tony Evers in June 2023 as part of an “affordable housing” package, along with other bills setting up state aid for housing rehabilitation.

With nearly 200 of Wisconsin’s 420 school districts either planning referendums asking taxpayers for more money or planning to do so in November, district officials often suggest to friendly news outlets that their budgets haven’t kept up.

But figures from the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction show a steady increase in spending by Wisconsin school districts when measured on a per pupil basis.

Badger on air

Segment begins at 21:45

In your own words 💬

Or does a flat tax remain the most realistic path to growth and prosperity?

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“A flat tax, in my opinion, is the fairest option. Sales taxes hurt the lower-income population more than those with a greater ability to pay. I lived in Peru for nine years where there is a whopping 18% value-added tax on everything, including food. Sales taxes increase the cost of goods and services, thereby discouraging sales.”

— Barry McRae. Green Bay, WI

“The flat tax doesn’t solve the problem. The main issue is that there are many residents of Wisconsin that operate on a cash basis and don’t pay any income tax. The way to correct that situation and keep the state's revenue appropriate is to eliminate the income tax completely and impose a serious sales tax increase.”

— Gary. Blanchardville, WI

Updated details

The biggest night on Badger’s calendar is now less than two weeks away and we are thrilled to welcome an expert panel speaking on media bias in these political times, and the much needed, ever-evolving landscape of conservative journalism.

Speakers include Steve Hayes, CEO and Editor of The Dispatch (a digital media company providing reporting and commentary on politics, policy and culture informed by conservative principles), Robert Doar, president of the American Enterprise Institute (a Washington D.C. based public policy research organization focused on the major economic issues facing the U.S.) and a third panelist yet to be named.

Event details:

Wisconsin collected approximately $22.3 billion in state taxes in 2021, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The largest source of state revenue was the individual income tax, which collected over $9 billion in state revenue, or about 40% of the total that year.

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.

The Institute never has, and never will, accept government funding. We gratefully welcome your online donation or email Angela Smith, Executive Vice President.

The Badger Institute is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organization funded solely by the generosity of foundations, companies and individuals.

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