Excessive court backlogs, declining workforce participation, the case for markets Celebrating 35 years of advancing freedom in Wisconsin Merry Christmas! Warm wishes for a safe holiday and prosperous New Year from all of us at the Badger Institute. Viewpoint MPS Police Ban Detrimental to Milwaukee Students State legislators should weigh this illogical practice come budget time By Mike Nichols The Milwaukee Public School District’s enrollment has dropped by more than 20,000 students in just the last 14 years – a stunning decline of over 25% that, Marquette’s Alan Borsuk points out, is the equivalent of losing five high schools and 25 kindergarten-through-eighth grade elementary schools. As I pointed out in a column last year, MPS had about 100,000 kids as recently as 1990. That number is now down to approximately 58,000 and dropping rapidly. A refusal by MPS and the teachers union to resume in-person classes during the pandemic didn’t help but this is a long-term trend stemming from demographic changes, the rise of better schools in other sectors and abject mismanagement. The MPS School Board has set the district on a path that now seems irreversible. Read the entire piece Free Exchange Podcast Toward Swifter Justice: How to Handle WI Courts’ Excessive Backlog In Wisconsin courts, it now takes more than one year to resolve an armed robbery charge, 14 months to resolve a sexual assault case and more than 15 months to resolve an allegation of murder. It's a systemic crisis that delays justice for victims, their families and all who long to lead safe, productive lives in the Badger State. Wisconsin is not without effective recourse, however. As Jeremiah Mosteller, attorney and criminal justice policy expert with Americans for Prosperity, outlines in this episode of Free Exchange, necessary investments in prosecutors and defenders can tackle the growing backlog of cases and restore a sense of swift justice for all Wisconsin residents. Listen in No Participation Trophy “Wisconsin’s labor force participation rate dropped to 64.9% in November, an acceleration of a downward trend that stretches back to June, according to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development.” – BizTimes, Dec. 15, 2022  At a Glance Weekly Survey: Should state legislators make an issue out of MPS’ decision to place social activism above student safety? Answer below! Yes No Last Week’s Results What We’re Reading Kansas Policy Institute: Four Reasons for a Flat Tax ReimaginEd: The long-term shifts taking place in American K-12 education Capital Times: ‘Started from the bottom’: Incarcerated grads earn Madison College diplomas Heritage Foundation: Making the Case for Markets  Steve Moore et al: It pays not to work in Biden’s America — and here’s the proof 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 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!