Annual Dinner registration, Grover Norquist calls for WI flat tax, too many licenses Celebrating 35 years of advancing freedom in Wisconsin Ensuring Opportunity: Altering Wisconsin’s Safety Net to Encourage Upward Mobility Even before the pandemic, U.S. entitlement spending was on an unsustainable path, the growth in means-tested safety net programs far outstripping inflation. The inevitable federal cuts or higher taxes that result will hinder Wisconsin’s aim of helping the poor and vulnerable. But it creates an opportunity for Wisconsin to demand more authority over federal safety net programs, including a willingness to take a larger funding role while assuming more responsibility. Poverty scholar Angela Rachidi — an American Enterprise Institute senior fellow and Wisconsin resident who once led policy research at the New York City Department of Social Services — has outlined for the Badger Institute what Wisconsin can do with that added authority. By her estimates, Wisconsinites receive at least $9 billion a year in federal assistance through means-tested programs, and the state contributes another $3 billion. Proponents want more, advocating for child allowances and universal benefits. Can still more money poured into a flawed system reduce poverty and increase upward mobility? Unless we address underlying causes, namely limited employment and unmarried parenthood, the answer is no. For decades, the federal government has assumed a larger role in funding and running safety net programs, leaving states with little ability to address flaws such as employment and marriage disincentives and little power to make changes. State leaders must work to change this. Specifically, Rachidi recommends that Wisconsin seek from Congress waivers that permit innovations such as: Consolidating funding streams for help with food, housing, family support and other programs into a Unified Family Assistance Program. This unified aid should phase out in a coordinated way to minimize benefit cliffs that discourage work. Increasing income eligibility requirements under the plan for married families, to stop discouraging marriage. Setting and enforcing work and education requirements for receipt of benefits. Setting time limits for cash support. In exchange, Wisconsin would assume a greater share of the cost until we hit agreed-on employment and poverty-reduction benchmarks. Wisconsin should also encourage or require schools and social service programs to explain the success sequence – finishing high school, working full-time and waiting until marriage to have children – as the demonstrably likeliest way to avoid poverty. Read the full report. Registration Now Open: Badger Institute Annual Dinner Join the Badger Institute on Tuesday, October 11, 2022 to celebrate 35 years of advancing freedom in Wisconsin at our Annual Dinner. The evening will feature keynote speaker Ed Feulner, co-founder and longtime president of The Heritage Foundation, one of the world's most influential think tanks. Feulner will share remarks on vision and leadership, drawing on his experience at the helm of Heritage as the Foundation crafted many of President Reagan’s influential policies as well as those of subsequent executive administrations. He will also speak about the Institute's Mandate for Madison, our roadmap for Wisconsin citizens and leaders toward a freer and more prosperous future. The dinner will be hosted at the Wisconsin Club. Registration is now open and sponsorships are available (email Vice President Angela Smith). Register Now A Pro-Growth Tax Code Grover Norquist, the nation’s foremost advocate for tax reform, joined Badger Institute friends and supporters at a lunch Wednesday where he made the case for merging and flattening Wisconsin’s progressive tax structure to promote growth and prosperity in an increasingly competitive economy. See more images of the event here. Free Exchange Podcast: Wisconsin Falls Behind As other states embrace significant tax reform, Wisconsin becomes increasingly less competitive. The Badger State’s GDP is anemic compared to some of our neighbors due in part to our tax levels and structure. Tax Foundation Senior Policy Analyst Katherine Loughead joins Badger Institute President Mike Nichols to discuss her new report “Tax Reform Options to Improve Wisconsin’s Competitiveness.” She offers recommendations that would make the Badger State a magnet for residents, businesses and investment. Listen to the podcast Wisconsin Troubling Tax Facts Wisconsin Troubling Tax Fact #3: Twenty-five states have lower top marginal individual income tax rates now than they did in 2012. Wisconsin is not among them. (Watch next week’s Top Picks for more Troubling Tax Facts.) Learn more here. Badger in the News The Center Square reports that the Evers administration during a study committee hearing this week blamed worker shortages and a lack of money for the occupational licensing backlog in the Department of Safety and Professional Services. Badger Institute Vice President Michael Jahr points out that the real problem is that Wisconsin requires too many workers to get state permission before they can do their jobs. Weekly Survey: Should safety net programs include work and education requirements for those who receive benefits? Answer below! Yes No Last Week's Results What We're Reading State Policy Network: What is a recession? Chalkboard Review: The Education Complex City Journal: What George Soros Gets Wrong Empower Wisconsin: Poll: Federal Government Too Big Fordham Institute: Impacts of charter school growth on school and neighborhood diversity Invest in the Badger Institute For 35 years, the Badger Institute, formerly known as the Wisconsin Policy Research Institute (WPRI), has 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 $35, $350 or $3,500 today. Your support will help the Institute continue to advocate for conservative principles for the next 35 years – and beyond! The Institute never has, and never will, accept government funding. We gratefully welcome your online donation or email Angela Smith, Vice President of Development. The Badger Institute is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organization funded solely by the generosity of foundations, companies and individuals. Support Freedom   Top Picks is our weekly update. To receive more frequent content from the Badger Institute’s experts – or share with us your policy areas of interest – CLICK HERE Badger Institute | 700 W Virginia St, Suite 301, Milwaukee, WI 53204 www.badgerinstitute.org Unsubscribe [email protected] Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice Sent by [email protected] in collaboration with Try email marketing for free today!