Public charter school funding gap, work and welfare, podcast playback News Latest crime figures show a Milwaukee in trouble 2022 drop still leaves crime levels in city well above those as recent as 2019 By Sean Kennedy When Milwaukee’s year-end crime figures for 2022 were released, Mayor Cavalier Johnson and Police Chief Jeffrey Norman touted their success in lowering crime levels. Johnson said, “There were some very positive trends that emerged in 2022, but I’m not here to celebrate.” Norman echoed that by saying, “I’m pleased to report overall violent crime within the city is down 7%. Again, overall violent crime in our city is down 7%.” Although cautious in their optimism, both leaders are misdirecting Milwaukeeans about the state of public safety in the city. Milwaukee is significantly less safe than it was a short time ago. Read the Report Education Freedom Video: Some public schools ARE underfunded Innovation in public education is a good thing. You can hear it in the voices of students from Pathways High, where diverse needs are met through personal attention and creative collaboration. The state sends a different signal, however — especially when it comes to funding those students. Independent charter schools like Pathways are public schools. Yet they receive thousands of dollars less per student than traditional public schools. For kids like Gianna, Mariel and Darcel, the message is loud and clear. You are immediately worth less when your needs are different. That’s why, in the words of Board President Julia Burns, “The state Legislature needs to get to funding parity for these schools. Bottom line.” Watch the Video Read the Story Badger Rewind Free Exchange Podcast While most of the state is relatively safe compared to five years ago, troubling trends in Milwaukee are undermining the safety of the state in general. In part one of the podcast, Sean Kennedy analyzes the last five years of corrections data and offers insight into the current state of crime and justice. Play Part 1 The Milwaukee Police Department is facing an attrition crisis, undermining the frontline administration of justice in Wisconsin’s largest city. In part two of the podcast, Kennedy discusses the state of MPD and the alarming trend of unfilled positions across all levels of law enforcement. Play Part 2   Quotable Source: Wisconsin must tackle labor shortage. That means rolling back expanded aid. Related resources: Altering Wisconsin’s Safety Net to Encourage Upward Mobility Wisconsin residents receive at least $9 billion in federal assistance through means-tested programs, and the state contributes another $3 billion. Can more money dedicated to a flawed federal safety net effectively reduce poverty and increase upward mobility? Without addressing the underlying causes of poverty, namely limited employment and unmarried parenthood, the answer is no. Mandate Chapter Fact Sheet Weekly Survey: Do you feel more or less safe in Wisconsin today compared to five years ago? Answer below! More safe Less safe Neither more nor less safe   Previous Poll Results: What We’re Reading Angela Rachidi: Do Work Requirements in Safety Net Programs Work? Wall Street Journal: Unemployment Is Low, Welfare High. What Gives? (paywall) Pelican Institute: A Social Safety Net That Works WILL: Holding Kids Back to Push Them Forward: An Analysis of Retention Policy in Wisconsin Brookings: How AI will revolutionize the practice of law Invest in the Badger Institute 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. 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!